Statement from ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie on the House vote continuing the extremely business-unfriendly sugar program:
“There is no adequate excuse as to why the House could not muster enough courage to vote in favor of the Sugar Reform Act, a modest amendment to the farm bill that would have helped level the playing field for bakers and consumers alike. Instead, the House confirmed that it will be business as usual for the foreseeable future.
“Just like the past couple of decades, more good manufacturing jobs will continue to flee the sugar-using sector and head to Canada and Mexico, countries that have access to world sugar markets, all due to the current sugar program. The U.S. Department of Commerce shows that we’ve lost thousands of jobs due specifically to this program, and with no reforms adopted, we can only expect the exodus to continue.
“Bakers across the U.S. would like to wholeheartedly thank those who courageously voted to reform the program. ABA would like to especially thank Reps. Pitts, Davis, Goodlatte and Blumenauer, and the 86 other sponsors of the Sugar Reform Act, for taking a leadership role in seeking reform. ABA will continue to work to reform the current sugar program in the years ahead, and we look forward to working with these members again in this fight.
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 633,000 highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association