Earlier this year, Congress overwhelmingly agreed to extend U.S. sugar policy for another five years. Strong support for sugar policy by leaders in the agricultural community certainly helped make that decision easier for lawmakers.
And don’t look for that support to wane anytime soon. Just last week, the National Farmers Union held its annual conference and adopted its policy positions for the upcoming year. When it comes to sugar policy, NFU reaffirmed its support:
We support the continuation of the no-cost U.S. sugar program and encourage Congress to work with U.S. sugar producers to adopt a strong sugar program in future farm bills. Today’s program has successfully provided consumers with stable, reliable supplies of sugar at reasonable prices, provided sugar producers with decent income and provided good employment opportunities in rural communities.
NFU isn’t alone. The American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation’s largest agricultural organization, has also been an outspoken supporter of U.S. sugar policy.
So has the National Council of Farm Cooperatives. And major farm lenders. And the Southwest Council of Agribusiness. And the Crop Insurance Professionals Association. And cotton, peanut, rice, sorghum, and peach producers. And many, many more.