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March 15, 2002
Cuba
to Buy U.S. Apples
On Friday, March 8, FAS learned of Cuba’s intention to buy 1,000 tons of Washington state apples, which could be worth about $500,000. Reportedly, the Cuban import agency Alimport, wants to purchase medium-to-large red delicious apples, and consultations on price and quality are underway. The sales, to be paid in cash, are expected to be completed in May or June 2002. U.S. exports of agricultural products to Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Sudan are now possible under the Trade Sanctions Reform Act, which was signed into law in October 2000. In July 2001, after an extensive consultative process, final regulations lifting food and medicine sales to these countries were approved. Initial sales to Cuba occurred in December 2001, with total announced agricultural purchases reaching $77 million. In mid-January 2002, a Washington state agricultural trade mission visited Cuba as part of the state’s efforts to expand its exports of agricultural products.
Spanish
Clementine Interests File Lawsuit Against USDA
On February 28, 2002, Spanish clementine interests, consisting of clementine growers and U.S. importers of clementines, filed suit in U.S. District Court against USDA for its ban on all imports of Spanish clementines. The ban was put into place on December 5, 2001, after several instances which live Medfly larvae was found in several U.S. states. The plaintiffs are asking the court for a preliminary injunction that would require USDA to permit limited distribution of Spanish clementines, subject to all the conditions currently required by the “work plan” established for shipment and imports of clementines. Reports indicate that the plaintiffs have taken this action in order to get USDA to establish a timetable as to when shipments can resume. The lawsuit is asking for a decision by April 15, 2002. This would then give Spanish clementine growers the time needed to prepare their crop for distribution in the United States.
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