Washington, DC – The Coalition for Sugar Reform today rejected the latest attempt by the U.S. sugar lobby to protect the unfair subsidies it gets from the federal government, issuing the following statement:
“The so-called zero-for-zero charade is back. Zero-for-zero is just a way for Congress to kick the can down the road on sugar policy reform – Big Sugar keeps getting subsidies from the federal government while American manufacturers, workers and hardworking families keep footing the bill.
“Current U.S. sugar policy artificially inflates domestic sugar prices, costing American consumers $3 billion per year. Higher U.S. sugar prices have contributed to the loss of 123,000 American manufacturing jobs over the last 18 years, and taxpayers were left on the hook for more than $250 million between 2013 and 2014.
“The sugar lobby is trying to convince lawmakers foreign subsidies are the problem. Fact is, those subsidies have no impact on the U.S. sugar market because the federal government sets per-country quotas for imports. The real problem is that Big Sugar operates in a no-risk environment to the detriment of small businesses that are at a competitive disadvantage with imported foreign products.
“Instead of wasting time with unrealistic proposals like zero-for-zero, Congress should stand up for American workers and consumers and end federal subsidies to a handful of corporate farms and wealthy sugar processors now. Congress should enact meaningful reforms that protect taxpayers, eliminate irrational regulations and help create American jobs.”
Learn more about why Congress should make U.S. sugar policy work for America at www.SugarReform.org.
About the Coalition for Sugar Reform:
The Coalition for Sugar Reform (www.SugarReform.org) represents consumer, trade, and commerce groups, manufacturing associations, and food and beverage companies that use sugar — including confectioners, bakers, cereal manufacturers, beverage makers and dairy companies — as well as the trade associations for these industries.
Source: Coalition for Sugar Reform
