Combest Vows to 'Open Purse Strings’ for Farmers

August 8, 2000

Rep. Larry Combest (R-TX), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, told the American Sugar Alliance's International Sweetener Symposium that he would "open the purse strings if we have to" in order to compete with foreign governments that subsidize production agriculture..

Combest, speaking Monday at the opening of the three-day symposium, said this country must keep its agriculture sector strong. "We must not become dependent on foreign countries to provide our food and fiber."

Referring to trade agreements, he said this country must make certain that other countries live up to the agreements. He indicated it is difficult to press forward with new trade agreements when countries do not live up to current agreements.

Combest said he remembered "well the side-letter agreement" with Mexico setting limits on sugar imports. Members of Congress frequently have acknowledged that the North American Free Trade Agreement would not have passed without the side-letter agreement. Mexico has disputed the validity of the side-letter and has given clear signals it does not want to live up to it.

Mexico and the United States are in contentious negotiations to try to solve disagreements over the amount of Mexican sugar that will be allowed into this country.

Combest also decried violations of U.S. sugar policy on import quotas through a scheme known as "stuffed molasses" through which a syrup containing mostly sugar is shipped into this country, mainly from Canada where the sugar is extracted, and sold on the U.S. market, undermining American producers.

Discussing the beginning of debate on the next farm bill, Combest said that there were many who thought the 1996 farm law would be "the last farm bill." He said he didn't buy into that idea then, and he doesn't now. "The U.S. government has to have a role in farm policy," he said.

"We're going to have a farm bill in 2002. I ask now that your industry and all commodities give us suggestions." He added, "My challenge to you is to come up with your own ideas." Further, he urged all segments of the sweetener industry to present a united position on farm legislation.