Number: RL33541
Title: Background on Sugar Policy Issues
Authors: Remy Jurenas, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: On July 26, 2007, the House Rules Committee reported out a rule (H.Res. 574; H.Rept. 110-261) that will be followed in floor debate on the 2007 farm bill (H.R. 2419). One amendment that will be permitted to be offered would strike all of the House farm bill's sugar provisions (including the sugar-for-ethanol program) and extend current program authority through 2012. On July 19, 2007, the House Agriculture Committee completed consideration of its farm bill. The sugar provisions (reflecting recommendations made by the domestic sugar producers and processors) call for increasing sugar price support levels by almost 3%, revising marketing allotment authority to guarantee the domestic sector a minimum 85% share of the U.S. marketplace, and mandating that surplus sugar be purchased for resale for processing into ethanol as one way to meet the program's no-cost objective. Sugar producers and processors support the measure, appreciative that current sugar policy was not "weakened." Domestic manufacturers of food and beverage products that use sugar, represented by the Sweetener Users Association (SUA), responded that the proposed program "would take the U.S. sugar program from bad to worse," increase costs to consumers, and result in sugar program costs of almost $2 billion during the farm bill's five years.
Pages: 25
Date: July 26, 2007