Advocacy - Sweetener Users Association

Advocacy

Legislation

Congressional champions of sugar reform from both sides of the political aisle have introduced bills over the past several years to fix a program that is costing U.S. jobs and driving up consumer prices. Explore those proposals below.

While the U.S. sugar program is the only commodity program not reformed in the last two farm bills — 2014 and 2018 — the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes several policies to update sugar program administration and increase sugar supply. Key provisions include modernizing beet sugar allotments, reallocating tariff-rate quota (TRQ) shortfalls and mandating a study to ensure refined sugar imports don’t require further processing.

Fair Sugar Policy Act of 2019 (H.R.4521, S.2568)

March 26, 2020

H.R.4521 S.2568

Summary of the Sugar Policy Modernization Act of 2017 (H.R. 4265 / S. 2086)

November 7, 2017

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Sugar Policy Modernization Act of 2017 (H.R. 4265)

November 7, 2017

To modernize the sugar program under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, to provide for the repeal of the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and marketing allotments for sugar under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938,…

Archives: Legislation

Letters

SUA Comment Supporting Full 16-Year Renewal of U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement

October 31, 2025

The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) strongly supports the renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for the full 16-year period contemplated in the agreement. The USMCA has resulted in expanded trade value, enhanced supply chains and multiple other benefits for the entire U.S. farm and food sector, including SUA member companies,…

SUA Joins 30+ Food and Ag Groups in Support of WTO

April 16, 2025

We are writing to urge your support for U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO contributes significantly to a strong, safe, and prosperous America …

SUA Letter to Under Secretaries Bonnie-Taylor (7-14-23)

July 14, 2023

Dear Under Secretaries Bonnie and Taylor: Members of the Sweetener Users Association (SUA) appreciate the recent increase in the raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) of 125,000 metric tons, raw value (MTRV). We commend USDA for recognizing that by all reasonable metrics, the domestic market remains inadequately supplied. The TRQ increase…

Archives: Letters

Testimony

Testimony by Bill O’Conner, Senior Agriculture Policy Advisor, Sweetener Users Association to the USTR Hearing on Negotiating Objectives Regarding Modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico

June 27, 2017

The Sweeteners Users Association (SUA) commends the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for soliciting comments and testimony from the various sectors of the economy on the negotiating objectives for modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. We welcome the opportunity to testify today…

Written Testimony Submitted to the U.S. ITC: The Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints

February 22, 2017

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…

SUA Statement for U.S. Trade Representative: TPP Employment Review

January 14, 2016

The Sweetener Users Association appreciates the opportunity to present information on the employment impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement 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…

Archives: Testimony