Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a Co-Chair of the House Sugar Caucus, today wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to resist calls for increased sugar imports from Mexico and other nations. Simpson sent the letter with the other Sugar Caucus Co-Chair, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA).

In their letter, Simpson and Melancon expressed their concerns over the impact increased sugar imports could have on domestic producers. “Higher imports now could have the disastrous effect of depressing prices further, harming more sugar farmers – many of whom are already experiencing severe financial distress – and risking taxpayer costs for loan forfeitures,” wrote Simpson and Melancon.

Simpson, Melancon and other supporters of sugar producers have consistently argued that the current sugar program, recently reauthorized in the Farm Bill, operates at no-cost to the taxpayers and helps keep rural America strong.

“Despite the challenge of integrating the U.S. and Mexican sweetener markets, as prescribed in the NAFTA, the U.S. sugar market has consistently operated efficiently and the policy has operated at no-cost to taxpayers for years,” wrote the two Congressmen.

Combined, U.S. beet and cane growers and processors in 19 states generate 146,000 American jobs and nearly $10 billion in annual economic activity across the nation.

“It is vitally important that we do all we can to promote and protect U.S. agriculture, especially during these tough economic times,” said Simpson after sending the letter. “Sugar producers are an integral part of Idaho’s economy and I am intent on making sure they are treated fairly in all of our trade policies and negotiations.”