Angie Craig: “let me close out the debate on this side of this issue by saying to Senators that you will have an opportunity to vote…”

“let me close out the debate on this side of this issue by saying to Senators that you will have an opportunity to vote to table the McCain amendment in a few moments. It is an amendment that really does not face the reality of the situation today. While product prices across the country, are low, we have one program in agriculture that is working reasonably well. That is a program that, in value to the farmer, beet or cane, since 1990, has actually gone down. But it has not translated through to the consumer because the sweetener industry, and the confectionery industry have continually raised their prices. This is not a subsidy, nor is it a cost to the taxpayer. There is no net cost to the taxpayer. All of these recourse loans are repaid at current interest rates. It is important to recognize it is a way of marketing and effectively distributing the product of this agricultural producer. It has also been clearly pointed out that you cannot compare current values and markets with world markets because most sugar around the world is sold on contract. That which is not is dumped to the bottom. So to compare that, it is not even apples and oranges; it is apples compared with nothing. It is important this program be retained. We revised it dramatically in 1996 in the new farm program, and it has worked effectively since that time.”