FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             CONTACT:    Phillip Hayes

Monday, August 2, 2010                                                                                202-271-5734 (cell)

From the International Sweetener Symposium:

Symposium Panelists Underscore Support for U.S. Sugar Policy

VAIL, Colo.— Support for a strong domestic sugar policy is not limited to sugar farmers, as representatives from the nation’s largest farm groups and one of the biggest agricultural lenders endorsed the continuation of U.S. sugar policy during a panel earlier today at the 27^th International Sweetener Symposium.

“Opponents of sugar policy want to scrap it and make this country dependent on foreign sugar supplies, just like we are for oil.  That is absolutely the wrong mindset,” said Roger Johnson, the president of the National Farmers Union (NFU).  “We have a sugar policy in this country that makes sure we have an abundant, affordable supply of an essential ingredient.  Why change success?”

The NFU, which represents 250,000 farmers and ranchers in all 50 states, passed a resolution in March to defend sugar policy and other key components of the farm safety net.  This support is particularly timely as Congress begins debate of a new Farm Bill.

According to Mary Kay Thatcher, director of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation, the new Farm Bill will be a challenge to write because lawmakers are dealing with large budget deficits and will be under pressure to trim spending.

The current sugar policy, she said, should fare well in this atmosphere because it has not cost taxpayers anything and is projected to remain no cost for the foreseeable future.

That’s good news for the banks that lend sugar producers money, Todd Van Hoose, senior vice president of government affairs at CoBank, told Symposium attendees.

“The ability for sugar cooperatives and farmers to repay debts is one of the most important things we look for when we commit to a loan,” he explained. “The current sugar policy gives us that peace of mind.”

Van Hoose also noted the importance of strong farm policies to the economic vitality of rural communities.  That’s why CoBank was so complimentary of Congress for passing the current sugar program, he noted.

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

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