House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) has called on the Clinton Administration to modify its sanctions on Iran, Libya, North Korea and Sudan.  Trade sanctions on these countries, he says, reduced U.S. agricultural exports by at least $500 million in 1996.

Combest's comments came on the heels of a Senate vote that urged the administration to approve the sale of U.S. wheat and other farm products to Iran, calling the sanctions on food exports "counterproductive."  The vote came on a non-binding resolution.

"Not only do embargoes and sanctions destroy the United States' reputation as a reliable supplier, but the dictators and generals still squeeze all the food they want out of their starving populations," said Combest.  "For American farmers and ranchers, trade is an essential part of our nation's livelihood."

Exports account for 30% of U.S. farm cash receipts, and nearly 40% of all agricultural production is exported.  USDA projects that 1999 agricultural exports will be less than $50 billion, $10 billion less than the value of 1996 exports.