Bakers Urge US Government To Resist 'Managed Trade' Over Mexican Sugar

The American Bakers Association (ABA), along with members of the Coalition for Sugar Reform, urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and the Trade Representative to resist pressure to enter into a "managed trade" agreement with the Mexican government that may severely dampen their ability to export sugar into the United States.  This potential agreement stems from a trade case accusing Mexican growers of dumping sugar into the U.S.   

"We are keenly aware that domestic Big Sugar special interests are pressuring both the United States and Mexican governments to bypass the legal process and The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in order to slow the flow of sugar entering into the U.S.,” said Cory Martin, ABA Director of Government Relations.  "Mexico is currently the only country that can fulfill U.S. food producer demand once the restrictive quotas are met due to the archaic U.S. Sugar Program.  If control of sugar exports from Mexico are placed in the hands of Big Sugar, supply will always fall short of demand, and we will undoubtedly face a similar situation that bakers faced from 2009 to 2012 — record high prices with further incentives to move production and jobs offshore."

"It's interesting that Big Sugar would file a case claiming damage to the domestic industry in light of record profits and increasing market share, then seek a deal to not allow the case to be seen through until a final determination is made next spring," added Martin.  "It is critical to bakers and all sugar users that this case be allowed to continue since we believe the Mexican growers will be found blameless come spring 2015.  We urge all parties involved in the case to not circumvent regular order and to allow proceedings to be properly seen through to the end."

About the American Bakers Association:

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 706,000 highly skilled people.

Source: American Bakers Association