Governor makes stop in Bernie

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Roundtable with rice and cotton farmers included discussion on trade to Cuba

BERNIE -- Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday was joined by Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce and regional agriculture industry leaders at the Martin Rice Warehouse in Stoddard County for a roundtable discussion on the economic benefits of increased trade to Cuba, especially for Missouri rice and cotton farmers.

"The more Missouri goods we sell around the globe, the more good jobs we create here at home," said Nixon. "Expanded trade with Cuba is a tremendous opportunity to extend the reach of our democratic values and ideals. Throughout the world, we have seen examples of how the free exchange of goods and ideas can advance freedom and democracy."

According to the USA Rice Federation, Cuba was the top export destination for U.S.-grown rice prior to the 1962 embargo. The United States resumed selling food to Cuba in 2000, with rice sales to Cuba totaling 635,000 metric tons between 2002 and 2006, according to the USA Rice Federation.

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