Chairwoman Stabenow Applauds USDA’s Deregulation of Sugar Beets

Chairwoman Stabenow Applauds USDA’s Deregulation of Sugar Beets



WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to partially deregulate Roundup Ready sugar beets, noting the decision will provide farmers the certainty they need to plant their 2011 crops and bolster Michigan’s thriving sugar beet industry.



“Sugar beets are a major economic driver of Michigan’s agriculture industry,” Stabenow said. “Michigan is on the leading edge of national beet sugar production, and this decision comes at a crucial moment when farmers need certainty to efficiently plan their crops. America leads the world in crop production because we lead the world in efficiency and innovation. I appreciate that the USDA has made this decision based on sound science after a careful review. Going forward, we need to create more certainty for growers and fewer delays that hinder their ability to make decisions.”



Michigan ranks fourth nationally in sugar beet production. More than 850 farmers produce sugar beets on more than 136,000 acres, representing 3.9 million tons of beets annually. In 2008, Michigan sugar beet production was valued at more than $171 million. Michigan is also the home of the Michigan Sugar Company, an agricultural cooperative based in Bay City. Michigan Sugar, the third largest sugar company in the United States, owns and operates processing facilities in Bay City, Caro, Croswell, and Sebewaing, employing 1,450 seasonal and 940 year-round workers.