Danny Davis: “the sugar program, as we know it, is hurting workers. We have farm programs for wheat, corn, cotton and many other…”

“the sugar program, as we know it, is hurting workers. We have farm programs for wheat, corn, cotton and many other crops. These programs give direct assistance to farmers and allow market prices to be set by supply and demand. Farmers receive help but not at the expense of workers and consumers. The sugar program is different. The sugar program helps producers by hurting other people. That is not right and we ought to be able to find another way to help sugar farmers. The sugar program keeps our market prices higher than world prices. Domestic sugar prices are about 21 cents a pound compared to world prices of about 9 cents a pound. That is now beginning to cost us jobs. In my community, Brach's Candy Company has announced that it is closing its plant and moving to Argentina so that it can get sugar more cheaply. It is time for us to retain and keep businesses in our country, and one way to do it is to make sure that sugar prices are fair and equal.”