Sugarcane Ethanol Producers Applaud Bipartisan Deal to End Import Tariff

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) issued the following statement in response to news of a bipartisan agreement to end the ethanol tax credit and import tariff on July 31, 2011 – five months ahead of the scheduled expiration. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) brokered the deal with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD). This statement should be attributed to Leticia Phillips, UNICA's Representative in North America.

Brazil ended trade-distorting subsidies for ethanol more than a decade ago and eliminated its ethanol tariff early last year. We are pleased that this agreement would have the United States do the same. As the world's top producers of ethanol, the U.S. and Brazil should lead by example in creating a free market for clean, renewable energy. 

Last month, the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to end these costly and unnecessary subsidies, and we look forward to continuing our work with Congressional leaders to accomplish that goal. We thank Senator Feinstein for her leadership on this important issue and urge Congress to pass it as soon as possible.

Ending the 30-year-old tariff on imported ethanol will help lower fuel prices and provide Americans with greater access to clean and affordable renewable fuels like sugarcane ethanol. Consumers win when businesses have to compete in an open market, because competition produces higher quality products at lower costs. The same principle holds true for renewable fuels. Allowing other alternative fuels like sugarcane ethanol to compete fairly in the U.S. will save Americans money, cut dependence on Middle East oil and improve the environment.

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) is the leading trade association for the sugarcane industry in Brazil, representing nearly two-thirds of all sugarcane production and processing in the country. For further information, please visit www.SweeterAlternative.com.

SOURCE Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA)