Cuba has lifted a ban on the import of U.S. long-grain rice it put in place last year because of fears about genetic contamination. Raul Sanchez, director of the U.S. division of the island's food import company Alimport, Friday said the ban was lifted earlier this month. He said that in recent weeks Cuba has imported 30,000 MT of long-grain U.S. rice and expects to import 10,000 more soon. 
 
A U.S. announcement in August that American long-grain rice samples had tested positive for trace amounts of a genetically modified strain not approved for consumption prompted Japan to suspend its U.S. rice imports. Cuba imposed a ban of its own after conducting independent testing, Sanchez said. 

Sanchez, who spoke during a meeting with U.S. medical company representatives, did not provide details when questioned afterward about the exact date and why Cuba had lifted the ban, suggesting only that U.S.
long-grain rice no longer appeared to be a problem. Washington's 45-year-old embargo against communist Cuba chokes off most trade between the two countries but U.S. companies can sell medicine and medical
supplies directly to the country under the 1992 Cuban Democracy Act. A law approved in 2000 authorized cash-only payments for U.S. food and agricultural products.