| Developing Countries Reiterate Support for Current U.S. Sugar Policy |
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| Press Releases |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Phillip Hayes Tuesday, August 3, 2010 202-271-5734
Developing Countries Reiterate Support for Current U.S. Sugar Policy VAIL, Colo.—U.S. sugar policy is working just fine and shouldn’t be weakened when Congress begins debate of the next Farm Bill, according to most of the developing nations that enjoy guaranteed access to the American sugar market. Paul Ryberg, president of the International Sugar Trade Coalition (ISTC)—a nonprofit coalition of sugar industry groups in nearly 20 developing countries—said the sugar policy approved by Congress in 2008 “maintains a price that is fair and covers the cost of producing sugar in developing countries.” The United States is one of the world’s few import markets where sugar prices are set at a level that reflects production costs, and it is a key market for the 38 poor, developing countries that ship sugar to America. Ryberg went on to add, “If there were no U.S. sugar policy or a weak U.S. sugar policy, we would see a flood of imports that would depress the price below the cost of producing sugar…the vast majority of developing countries that produce and export sugar could not survive at that price; they would be forced out of business.” The ISTC is among the most vocal supporters of U.S. sugar policy and has been critical of sugar policy alternatives pushed by food manufacturers looking to artificially depress sugar prices through taxpayer-funded subsidies. They are not alone. By a 3-to-1 margin, Americans prefer the continuation of current sugar policy over several alternative options that have been presented by food manufacturers in the past, according to a Harris Interactive poll released this week. -0-
For more information about the International Sweetener Symposium, visit www.sugaralliance.org Learn more about the ISTC at www.sugarcoalition.org |
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