The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) appreciates the opportunity to present information on the economic impact of U.S. sugar program import restraints on the U.S. sugar and sweetener sector and the food and beverage industries that use the majority of these key food ingredients. SUA’s membership includes a broad range of food and beverage manufacturers, along with the trade associations that represent these firms. Our members believe that these import restraints have had significant negative impacts on their businesses and on their customers as a result of higher than necessary prices and other market distortions created by these overly protectionist government policies.