FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               CONTACT:   Phillip Hayes

Tuesday, August 3, 2010                                                                                202-271-5734 (cell)

From the International Sweetener Symposium:

Sen. Chambliss: 2012 Farm Bill Must Have Strong Safety Net

VAIL, Colo.—Farmers and ranchers depend on the strong safety net included in the 2008 Farm Bill to provide America with an abundant and affordable supply of food and fiber, and the next Farm Bill should also contain a strong safety net, according to Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), the Senate Agriculture Committee’s top Republican.

“We have seen that safety net give producers and their bankers some comfort during difficult times,” he said today at the 27^th International Sweetener Symposium.

Sugar policy is an integral part of the safety net, and Chambliss reaffirmed his long-time support for sugar policy, which operates at no cost to taxpayers.

“In these difficult budget times, that’s a huge advantage,” he said of sugar producers’ desire to see a continuation of the no-cost sugar program in the 2012 Farm Bill.

During this week’s Symposium, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), farm leaders from the U.S. and abroad, and a major agricultural lender have all concurred that the current sugar policy is working well and should not be weakened in the upcoming Farm Bill debate.

The American Sugar Alliance also released a public opinion poll yesterday that showed broad support for no-cost sugar policy among U.S. adults.

“We’re going to do what we can to ensure the needs of the [sugar] industry are met,” concluded Chambliss, who expects to participate in numerous Farm Bill hearings next year.

-0-

For more information about the International Sweetener Symposium, visit www.sugaralliance.org

Symposium audio files can be downloaded at www.ASAradio.org