| ASA: Government Policy Holds Key to Industry’s Success in ‘09 |
 |
| Press Releases |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Phillip Hayes Friday, February 13, 2009 202-507-8303 WASHINGTON—One day before Valentine’s Day, the American Sugar Alliance released its 2009 Industry Outlook, which says the upcoming year will be a lot like a box of assorted chocolates—full of unknowns. “The combination of economic pressures and unneeded foreign sugar cascading onto the U.S. market could be enough to sink America’s sugar producers,” the paper concluded. But, “if the Farm Bill remains in tact and is implemented properly—and if America’s trade policy does not undercut its sugar growers—the U.S. producers have the tools to weather the storm of 2009 and enter 2010 in a strong position.” Among the pitfalls facing sugar farmers in 2009 are rising input costs; falling raw sugar prices; uncertainties about the amount of Mexican sugar that will enter the U.S. market; looming World Trade Organization talks; and budget pressures in Washington, which could make the recently passed Farm Bill a target. “All of these challenges have one thing in common: Government policy holds the key to their outcome and to domestic sugar producers’ ability to meet consumer needs,” reads the report. The 2008 Farm Bill included two new provisions that should help counter these challenges—a sucrose ethanol program to soak up surpluses caused by unneeded imports from U.S. trade agreements and a modest loan rate increase to help offset producers’ increased business costs. Sugar growers are cautiously optimistic that the government will make the right choices in 2009, according to the study. President Barack Obama and new Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack have both made promising statements about sugar policy in recent months. And, Congress has been a big backer of sugar policy, which continues to be a good deal for taxpayers and consumers alike. Sugarbeet farmers from across the country will travel to Washington, DC, in the coming weeks to meet with lawmakers and Administration officials to discuss the difficulties they currently face and the role that government will have in their ability to continue growing an ingredient found in nearly everything Americans eat. The growers also plan to tell Congress that sugar policy stimulates rural economies by supporting an industry that pumps $10 billion into the economy and supports 146,000 U.S. jobs. -0-
For more information about U.S. sugar policy, visit www.sugaralliance.org |
Audio & Video
|
|