(Chuck Muth) – On March 9, 2022, the Associated Press reported…
“Ukraine’s government has banned the export of wheat, oats and other staples that are crucial for global food supplies as authorities try to ensure they can feed people during Russia’s intensifying war.
“The export ban is needed to prevent a ‘humanitarian crisis in Ukraine,’ stabilize the market and ‘meet the needs of the population in critical food products,’ Roman Leshchenko, Ukraine’s minister of agrarian and food policy, said in a statement.”
Among the “other staples” and “critical food products” included in the export ban: Sugar.
And yet, some in Congress continue to beat the drums for eliminating our current U.S. sugar policy which would result in Americans becoming dependent on sugar imports from other nations.
This is not only a dumb idea economically – especially since the leading global sugar exporters unfairly subsidize their production of the commodity – but has national defense implications as well.
“Americans know that food policy is a matter of national security,” reminded South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem last week. “When another country feeds us, they control us.”
Exactly.
Just look at prices at the gas pump now that we’re no longer energy independent and relying on OPEC and Russian oil.
Current U.S. sugar policy protects American consumers by keeping sugar available and affordable. Remove U.S. sugar policy and American sugar farmers will be driven out of business by subsidized foreign sugar producers.
Making the U.S. solely dependent on foreign nations for a food staple means that Americans could see skyrocketing costs for all manner of foods – not just cakes and candies.
And remember this reality-check from the American Sugar Alliance…
“America’s no-cost sugar policy is built on loans repaid with interest – not subsidy checks – which ensures a secure supply of American-made sugar at no cost to taxpayers.”
U.S sugar policy works. Stop trying to fix it. Our national security depends on it.
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