Arlington, February 17 (RHC)-- The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) applauds bipartisan legislation introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar that, if enacted, would lift Washington's economic blockade on Cuba, according to AgriMarketing news website.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).

The Freedom to Export to Cuba Act of 2015 would repeal or revise current federal laws restricting trade news release with Cuba, opening a valuable marketplace for U.S. feed products, and other U.S. products and services.

The legislation would allow the industry to conduct normal business activities, including bank-to-bank credit transactions, allowing for a customary and usual trade relationship.

"We are pleased Sen. Klobuchar has taken the first step toward normalizing trade relations with Cuba. The future of the feed industry lies not domestically, but internationally, and this bill holds the potential for our membership to build export partnerships just 90 miles off the U.S. coast," said Gina Tumbarello, AFIA director of international policy and trade.

If the Freedom to Export to Cuba Act is passed, the U.S. will have the ability to compete with other countries in the Cuban market on a level playing field and open a larger customer base for U.S. agriculture.

Recognizing the importance of the potential for expanded trade, AFIA recently joined the U.S. Agricultural Coalition for Cuba, which has the goal of improving agricultural trade between the U.S. and Cuba as a foundation for building successful and enduring relations between both countries.