LITTLE ROCK — The following statement should be attributed to Randy Veach, president of Arkansas Farm Bureau. Veach, a third-generation farmer from Manila, traveled to Cuba in September 2015 to meet with officials about increasing agricultural trade with Arkansas.

"We believe this action by President Trump is a step in the wrong direction as it relates to normalization of trade with Cuba. There is no better diplomacy than making food available to another country. Having been to Cuba, I understand the great opportunities for Arkansas agriculture to expand our markets there, and also to go a long way toward improving the quality of life for the people of Cuba.

"We fully support the legislation being proposed by Congressman Rick Crawford and the ongoing efforts of Sen. John Boozman to allow agriculture commodities to be traded more freely with Cuba."

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.

For more information, contact:

Steve Eddington
(501) 228-1383
steve.eddington@arfb.com

 or

Rob Anderson
(501) 228-1640
rob.anderson@arfb.com