FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 1998
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) and other Members of sugar producing districts today were successful in defeating a damaging amendment that would have effectively killed the Federal sugar program. The amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill was struck down by a vote of 167 to 258.
"This is a significant increase over last year's vote, which was 175 to 253," Peterson said. "The vote the year before that was 208 to 217, so the support for this program is much more solid than it has been, and that's really good news for the sugar industry in the 7th District."
During the debate, opponents of the sugar program claimed that large corporations benefit from government loans and that consumers lose. In response, Peterson said, "These claims are just plain false. The fight is not about big corporations. It is about farmers and farmer-owned cooperatives. The hard-working farmers and their families in the Red River Valley have invested years into building successful enterprises. The 1996 Farm Bill provided reform to the program and a course for the following seven years. We cannot back out on growers now."
Peterson added that the sugar industry in the valley represents an important economic link that provides valuable jobs.