Sugar producers and food manufacturers may not see eye-to-eye on sugar policy, but they have joined political forces in an attempt to urge the United States government to rejoin the International Sugar Organization (ISO).

The ISO is the world’s leader in gathering and interpreting statistics on global sugar and sugar ethanol markets, but America—a major player in the global sugar market—has not been a dues-paying member since 1993.

“The United States’ absence, as a leading developed country and one of the world’s largest sugar producers, consumers, and importers, is notable and deprives us of a voice in an important international forum,” the heads of the American Sugar Alliance and Sweetener Users Association wrote in a March 24 letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The letter further noted that participation is particularly important because the ISO serves as the World Trade Organization’s consultative body on sugar.

“The United States will want to be involved in the global sugar trade liberalization process as the Doha Round advances,” the two groups pointed out.

Administration officials also received a letter from the Sweeteners Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC), which comprises private industry representatives that provide advice to the government on trade-related issues.

“[ISO’s] 85 members now account for 83% of global sugar production, 65% of consumption, 95% of exports, and 40% of imports,” wrote the co-chairmen of the Sweeteners ATAC.  “This further isolates the United States in this global industry overwhelmingly dominated by developing countries that normally look to the United States for leadership.”

They went on to point out, “Our country’s lack of participation in this international forum is glaring and embarrassing.”

Congress apparently agrees.

The 2008 Farm Bill directed the USDA and State Department to rejoin the ISO within one year—a deadline that has long since passed.