How sweet it is — for sugar producers

As the House Agriculture Committee begins debate on the 2007 Farm Bill today, eight public interest groups sent a letter to committee members asking them to reject expansion of the U.S. sugar program and undertake true reform. Ag Committee Chairman, Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN), has a Chairman’s Mark that would increase the sugar price support program, further restrict sugar imports, and mandate the use of surplus sugar for ethanol.

The eight groups participate in the Sugar Reform Alliance, founded by CEI, which points to the negative effects of the U.S. sugar program on consumers and taxpayers, the environment, and on poor farmers in developing countries.

Here’s an op-ed by me that appeared in yesterday’s National Review Online, which provides more detail on why reform of the program is needed.