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Coalition Letter to Congress Regarding U.S. Sugar Policies

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July 31, 2013

Dear Member of Congress:

Sugar is the world’s most distorted commodity market. More than 100 countries produce sugar and more than 100 countries subsidize its production, which exposes grocery shoppers and food makers to extreme price volatility. Free-market reform is needed to bring more certainty and stability to the marketplace for consumers.

However, the United States alone cannot bring about such reform. Heavily subsidized sugar exporters like Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, India, Guatemala, Colombia and Europe, which control about three-quarters of all sugar exports, must be pressed to eliminate market distortions.

Efforts to unilaterally disarm U.S. sugar policy before such changes materialize will do nothing to further free-market principles while leaving American consumers dependent on other countries for a vital food ingredient.

A new resolution by Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL) provides the path forward to reforming global subsidies and U.S. policy. It advocates a halt to all market-manipulating policies worldwide, without jeopardizing U.S. jobs or America’s ability to produce a homegrown crop.

We encourage you to join other free-market advocates in cosponsoring Congressman Yoho’s resolution, H. Con. Res. 39, which is commonly called the zero-for-zero sugar policy.

Sincerely,

Al Cardenas
Chairman
American Conservative Union

Stephen DeMaura
President
Americans for Job Security

Seton Motley
President
lessgovernment.org

Jim Martin
Chairman
60 Plus Association

Chuck Muth
President
Citizen Outreach

Andrew Langer
President
Institute for Liberty

Colin Hanna
President
Let Freedom Ring

George Landrith
President and CEO
Frontiers of Freedom

Tom Giovanetti
President
Institute for Policy Innovation

Richard Manning
Vice President Public Policy
Americans for Limited Government