(Arlington, Virginia) — In an effort to promote stronger free-market principles in worldwide trade and domestic food production, today CASE, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, announced its inclusion in a coalition letter to Congress in support of H. Con Res. 40.

Better known as Rep. Ted Yoho’s (R-FL) “Zero-for-Zero” policy to eliminate global sugar subsidies, this resolution aims to end the ongoing international escalation in sugar subsidies which serve to destabilize consumer food prices while undermining fair trade and competition in global agriculture.

The letter, which can be read here, was urged by a coalition of organizations and advocates representing a diverse coalition of U.S. consumers.

Said CASE President Matthew Kandrach, “For too long the global sugar market has been like the ‘Wild-Wild West,’ with practically no rules governing the billions in subsidies nations have lavished on their domestic sugar producers. This international shoot-out for market dominance has caused a great disruption in the marketplace that has hurt consumers, U.S. farmers, and producers in our food industry.

“By holding sugar producing nations accountable to an agreement ending subsidies, Zero-for-Zero is a tremendous win for consumers and taxpayers. It will replace the current system of billions in global sugar subsidies with true market forces based on fair trade, market competition, and consumer choice that in the long-run will stabilize prices and lower costs on the products we buy every day.

“On behalf of America’s consumers, taxpayers, and millions working in our domestic food industry, we urge Congress to act on this important piece of legislation as a critical first step in ending the harmful and costly escalation in global sugar subsidies.”