October 19, 2021

Durbin Talks Trade With National Confectioners Association

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with Illinois members of the National Confectioners Association to discuss the current sugar program that sets price supports, domestic marketing allotments, and tariff-quotas to influence the amount of sugar available to the U.S. market. During their conversation, Durbin spoke in support of the Sugar Reform Act, which would eliminate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) mandate to set the import quota at the minimum trade-compliant level, allowing for more imports of lower-priced sugar while maintaining the most important safety net for sugar producers.

“It was a sweet treat to meet with the Illinois members of the National Confectioners Association,” said Durbin. “We had a fruitful discussion about the U.S. sugar market and how we can reform the current program to keep Illinois competitive in a global marketplace.”

A photo of the meeting is available here.

-30-