Kildee Votes for Michigan Sugar Farmers

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) today voted to reauthorize our nation’s agricultural policy and numerous nutrition, energy and conservation programs. Kildee enthusiastically supported provisions included in H.R. 2419, the Food, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act, to reform the sugar program, which will benefit Michigan’s 1,200 family sugar beet farms and their employees.

For the first time since 1985, the loan rate for domestically grown beet and raw cane sugar will rise. By 2012, the loan rate for beet sugar per pound will rise from 22.9 to 23.5 cents per pound. Over the same period, the loan rate for raw cane sugar will increase from 18.00 to 18.75 cents per pound.

H.R. 2419, commonly termed the ‘Farm Bill,’ also creates an exciting new program allowing the United Stated Department of Agriculture to facilitate the purchase and sale of excess sugar to be used in ethanol production, which provides and additional safety net for Michigan’s family sugar farmers.  Sugar may be utilized to increase the efficiency of ethanol production without making changes to equipment or the current process.

“Mid-Michigan has been devastated by trade agreements that export our manufacturing jobs. One bright spot is agriculture – led by our sugar beet farmers who own the whole process from the fields to the refinery,” said Kildee. “The Farm Bill will allow agriculture in Michigan to continue to prosper by striking a balance that will secure production of sugar and other crops, enhance conservation efforts and expand renewable fuel production.”

Nearly three-quarters of all spending in the bill, including $10.4 billion in new funding, will go to nutritional programs that help 38 million families. Improvements to the Food Stamp Program include increases to the minimum benefit for recipients and reform of the benefit rules to more adequately cover food expenses. In addition, an increase of $1.26 billion for the Emergency Food Assistance Program will help stock food banks and shelters.

“Half of all food stamp benefits go to children younger than 18, and this bill will strengthen the safety net that keeps American children and their families from going hungry,” said Kildee.

President Bush has threatened to veto the measure. However, the House passed H.R. 2419 by a veto-proof margin of 318 - 106. The Senate must now consider this legislation.