WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate yesterday voted to approve former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The American Sugar Alliance released the following statement applauding Secretary Vilsack’s confirmation.

“America’s sugar producers congratulate Secretary Vilsack on his confirmation, and we are pleased that President Obama selected a secretary from a state with a proud farming tradition. Sugar farmers have a lot in common with Iowa growers, and we all have the same goal: to provide America with an affordable and safe food supply while making a decent living.  While sugar producers have not had much interaction with the new secretary in the past, we are looking forward to meeting with him and working together closely in the future.  We anticipate having a good relationship with the Obama administration because President Obama has shown that he clearly understands the issues facing agriculture today and knows the importance of maintaining a strong sugar industry.”

During the confirmation process, Vilsack pledged to work with Congress “to establish policies that support sugar producers.”

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For more information about U.S. sugar policy, visit www.sugaralliance.org