U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and his Cuban counterpart Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero toured a central Iowa corn and soybean farm (Friday) and talked about water, soil, and energy. Vilsack — with an interpreter behind him — says he wants the ban on exports to the country lifted.

 

Vilsack says dropping the embargo would allow Iowa and the rest of U-S agriculture to send more goods to Cuba.

Rollero spoke through an interpreter.

 

The two signed an agreement to work together on a list of agricultural issues.

Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, says Cuba is also an ally for the United States on some hot-button international agriculture issues, such as food safety and animal health regulations.