NCFC: Oppose sugar amendment

Washington, D.C. (May 22, 2013)—The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) today expressed its strong opposition to Senate Amendment 925 to the farm bill (S. 954) being debated on the Senate floor today. The amendment, offered by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), would change, and effectively dismantle, current federal policies with regards to sugar. “The U.S. sugar policy has evolved over the years and has a proven track record in providing helping farmers to compete against heavily subsidized foreign competitors,” said Chuck Conner, president & CEO of NCFC. “Ending our sugar programs would simply result in fewer jobs for Americans and more for our foreign competitors.” “The U.S. and global sugar markets have collapsed, with farmers having seen a 55 percent drop in prices received just since debate on the farm bill has gotten underway,” continued Conner. “Now is not the time to weaken or repeal a long-standing element of U.S. agricultural policy. I urge a “no” vote on the Shaheen sugar amendment.”