Editor:

We appreciate the recognition in your recent editorial of the success that Florida's sugar farmers have had in cleaning the water that leaves our farms. In fact, sugar farmers reduced nutrients in farm water by 64 percent this year -- far surpassing the required 25 percent reductions.

U.S. Sugar also turned over 19,000 acres of land several years ahead of schedule so that the Florida Legislature and the South Florida Water Management District can accelerate restoration projects.

However, your understanding of our business and the federal sugar program is lacking a few critical facts.

There are no sugar subsidies. The sugar program is the only commodity program in the current farm bill that does not have a budgetary cost. The program operates with supply management and import controls on subsidized foreign sugar rather than government subsidy payments.

American consumers benefit from a sugar policy that provides an affordable sugar supply. We pay about 20-30 percent less for sugar in our supermarkets than consumers in most other developed countries. A five-pound bag of sugar has sold for about $2 for more than 20 years and restaurants give sugar away for free.

Florida's sugar farmers, processors and refiners provide 25,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic activity. We are expanding our production facilities so that they will be among the most efficient and environmentally friendly in the world. Farmers are actively involved in the state's Everglades restoration efforts that are ahead of schedule and under budget.

Robert E. Coker
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs
United States Sugar Corporation