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Sugar amendment fails; could have put entire farm bill in jeopardy

The amendment that would change sugar policy had farm groups concerned over the fate of the entire farm bill in the U.S. House, but the measure failed on Thursday.

Sarah Black with Michigan Farm Bureau told Brownfield changes to sugar policy could set a bad precedent for the entire debate.

“I can’t speak for the Chairman, but I think there’s potential if that amendment passes that it could really derail progress on the whole bill.”

Republican Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina’s amendment would have removed production limits that currently support sugar prices.

House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway told Brownfield the current policy protects farmers from unfair global competition.

“All of these other countries that produce sugar, they make sure their sugar farmers make money and then they dump the excess that they don’t need into this world market—they don’t care what the price is.”

Farm Bureau called on its members to contact members of Congress to share why the farm bill matters to them and to support current sugar policy.

Similar amendments to reform sugar policy were introduced during the 2014 Farm Bill debate but were defeated.

Republicans can pass the bill if less than 20 of their own members oppose it.  However, if the sugar amendment had passed, it would have put votes for the final bill in jeopardy.

Black says the House farm bill could be passed as early as Friday.

AUDIO: Interview with Sarah Black

AUDIO: Comments from Rep. Mike Conaway

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