FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     CONTACT:   Phillip Hayes

Tuesday, May 31, 2011                                                                                  202-507-8303

Michigan Agriculture Asks Congress to Continue Sugar Policy in 2012 Farm Bill

EAST LANSING, MI—Farmers from across the state joined Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-KS) today for a Farm Bill hearing, and sugar policy received high marks.

“American sugar farmers…are grateful to Congress for crafting a sugar policy that is balancing supply and demand, ensures that consumers have a dependable, high-quality supply of a vital food ingredient, and is improving market prospects for sugar producers,” testified Ray VanDriessche, a third-generation farmer who serves as Michigan Sugar Company’s director of community and government relations.

“The policy achieves all these goals at zero cost to American taxpayers,” he added.  “We strongly urge the continuation of this successful, no-cost policy in the next Farm Bill.”

VanDriessche wasn’t alone in his praise.  Prior to the hearing, the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan sent Stabenow a letter supportive of  “maintaining the current U.S. sugar policy, which ensures high levels of local sugar beet production and benefits local communities.”

Sugar policy underpins nearly 11,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in annual economic activity in the state.

“Michigan’s sugarbeet industry is a true economic success story,” said Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, which represents more than 400 agricultural businesses.  “As one of the top four sugar producing states, Michigan is responsible for contributing billions of dollars to the economy while creating good, local jobs. We look forward to working with Senator Stabenow in maintaining a stable U.S. sugar policy and strengthening this already bright spot in our economy.”

Sugarbeets have been grown and processed into refined sugar in Michigan for 114 years.  The state produces 12 percent of the nation’s beet crop, and according to VanDriessche’s testimony, is a key supplier to food manufacturers because it is the only beet sugar producer east of the Mississippi River.

The American Sugar Alliance is the national coalition of growers, processors, and refiners of sugarbeets and sugarcane, accounting for 146,000 American jobs and $10 billion in economic activity in 18 states.

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