Balance of Food

Sugar lovers who hate high fructose corn syrup... The U.S. Senate approved CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) by a 54-45 vote. Normally, a free trade agreement would sail through the House. But the sugar trade is fighting very hard to keep foreign sugar out, and their prices artifically high. The White House agreed to limit sugar imports for another two years by paying Central American producers not to export to the United States. The United States would pay with surplus farm products accumulated through its other subsidy programs. Amazingly, this comes from "pro-trade" Republicans. For what it's worth, Vice President Dick Cheney said in a radio interview that in 2007, "sugar will be treated the same as everybody else at that time." One of the funnier elements to this deal is Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN). Minnesota is not known for its sugar growing prowess, and Coleman is certainly not as right-wing as his fellow Republicans. yet Coleman has been demanding more protection for sugar producers. Coleman ended up voting for the bill. In the vote, yes votes came from 10 Democrats, 43 Republicans and the one independent. "No" rang out from 33 Democrats and 12 Republicans. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) did not vote. Despite the fight from the sugar folk, the House will likely pass the bill. The fear is that the sugar growers will get even more concessions from the House. If the versions are different, the House and Senate will have to reconcile the differences.