Impartial Data Should Be the Basis for Establishing the Appropriate Price Support Levels for Sugar as Congress Works to Reauthorize the Farm Bill
Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2023) – The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) today said U.S. sugar policy should encourage additional domestic sugar production and called on the Senate Agriculture Committee to gather accurate data on sugar production costs to ensure there is transparency in determining the support level for sugar.
“In the longer term, mandating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) calculate such costs on an ongoing basis would also promote program efficiency and transparency,” writes SUA in their letter to Senate Agriculture Committee members. Information on production costs is readily available from USDA for most, if not all, other commodities that have price support protection.
At a time when various aspects of U.S. sugar policy work in such a way that supplies of sugar are inadequate to meet domestic market needs, an important first step in evaluating appropriate support levels would be for the Committee to gather impartial data from a variety of sources, including USDA, to obtain accurate information on production costs.
SUA went on to advocate that U.S. sugar policy should encourage expanded domestic production, not further restrict it.
“SUA members seek modest change in sugar policy that will better promote adequate supplies at reasonable prices, and we urge Congress to consider this as it works to reauthorize the farm bill this year,” concluded SUA President Rick Pasco.
Media Contact:
Kate Klimaszewski
