WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Bakers Association strongly endorses the Free Sugar Act, a bill introduced by Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) that repeals the current U.S. Sugar Program. “Senator Lugar has been a long time proponent of eliminating this costly program and the baking industry is energized to support these efforts,” said Robb MacKie, ABA president and CEO. “Under the current program, bakers and consumers are paying high prices because the government deliberately keeps sugar supplies tight. Senator Lugar’s bill will allow supplies to meet demand and will help to address recent record food inflation.”
“The current sugar program dramatically restricts imports and guarantees a market quota for domestic producers, but this quota is difficult to meet even in good crop years,” said Cory Martin, ABA senior manager, government relations. “The result is that consumers and bakers end up spending more than $4 billion dollars a year to support Big Sugar.” ABA will aggressively work with Congress to gain support and passage of the Free Sugar Act.
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About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking
industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal
agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking
facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet
goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking
industry generates more than $70 billion in economic activity annually and employs close to half a
million highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association