06/25/07 Union backing for sugar policy

Union leaders from across the country are asking Congress to keep the current sugar policy in the new farm bill and by doing so keep American jobs intact. Minnesota union worker Mark Fromke tried to remind lawmakers that 146 thousand people in Idaho and 18 other states depend on the sugar industry for their jobs. FROMKE "So that they have a clear understanding how this farm bill and this particular sugar program works in our communities." Fromke says current sugar policy is good for rural communities, US consumers and the nation as a whole. That's why Florida union worker Greg Thompson says he isn't all that surprised by the bipartisan support for the current sugar program. THOMPSON "You've got sugar policy right now that provides good people with good paying union jobs in rural communities plus it hasn't cost taxpayers anything as a result in the form of sugar prices." Thompson says Americans are dependent on other nations for oil and fuel needs but not dependent for food. THOMPSON "And we definitely don't need to depend on poor countries for food. We've seen the scares we're had from China and Mexico and this sugar bill helps us provide Americans with safe food they can depend on." That's been the contention of many in the sugar industry; the current policy ain't broke, so don't try to fix it. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott