Michael Scuse, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, opened the recent International Sweetener Colloquium at the Turnberry Isle Resort in Aventura, Florida, marking his fifth-consecutive appearance as the event’s keynote speaker.
Acknowledging that the current administration is heading into its final months, Scuse said President Barack Obama believes “really important things happen in the fourth quarter,” referring to football’s final 15 minutes.
Scuse focused considerable attention on the current managed trade agreements with Mexico, saying after one year it is clear that “nothing is ever as simple as it seems.” He acknowledged that the agreements have created market imbalances, and although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, this has led to challenges at USDA and within the sugar sector, including inadequate raw-sugar supplies in the U.S. cane-refining sector.
“USDA needs to better understand the quantity and quality of sugar imported from Mexico and to accomplish this, we need the best information possible—from everyone,” Scuse said.
Source: www.agriview.com