The following article is from the NAFB News Service:
Sugar farmers from across the country are visiting Capitol Hill offices this week, telling the story of a Federal sugar policy that has operated without cost to taxpayers since 2002. And according to the Department of Agriculture that no cost trend will likely continue for at least 10 more years.
Kelly Erickson, a Minnesota sugarbeet farmer and president of the American Sugar Beet Growers Association, says the grower’s story is quite simple – extend our policy and keep us no cost. Erickson notes that – under the 2008 Farm Bill there have been fewer closures of sugar mills, refineries, and plants than at any time in the last four decades.
Kevin Wedgworth, a banker from Florida, says – without an extension of the current no-cost policy banks would be much less likely to extend essential operating loans to sugar producers. He warned – that would be disastrous for many rural economies that depend on sugar. Sugar, which is produced in 18 states, supports 142-thousand U.S. jobs and contributes 20-billion dollars to the economy each year.
Source: NAFB News Service
Posted by Haylie Shipp
