Senate Rejects Phasing Out Sugar Beet Industry Support System

The U.S Senate has rejected efforts to phase out supports for the Red River Valley's sugar beet industry.

 

 

Listen Now

 

 

The U.S Senate has rejected efforts to phase out supports for the Red River Valley's sugar beet industry.

Critics say the financial support program for sugar forces American consumers and food and beverage businesses to pay billions of dollars more per year than they would without the supports.

Senator Pat Toomy of Pennsylvania charged it is the most flawed program in all of government.

"This is a program which systematically forces American consumers to pay much more than the global price for sugar," said Toomy. "It's a huge transfer of wealth from consumers, including the poorest American consumers, to a handful of wealthy sugar producers."

Senator Kent Conrad laid that claim to rest quickly.

"Here's the cost, according to the Congressional Budget Office, of the sugar program from 2013 to 2022," said Conrad. "The cost is zero. It is hard to get lower than zero."

The vote to table the amendment passed 50-46, with Democrats and Republicans lining up on both sides.

(KFGO file photo)

 

Don Haney

   

© 2012 KFGO-AM  |  1020 S. 25th Street Fargo, ND 58103