US Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus successfully included provisions in the recently passed Trade Assistance Adjustment Act to protect sugar producers, including those in Montana.

"I'm pleased that we've passed the Trade Assistance Adjustment Act of the Finance Committee and am especially pleased that we included strong provisions that will apply tariffs to molasses imports," Baucus said. "Molasses is currently the only agricultural import that isn't subject to a tariff. That simply isn't fair to our sugar producers who can't compete with the low cost of molasses imports. The provisions we included will level the playing field."

The Trade Assistance Adjustment Act, which Baucus introduced with Senators Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) last July, expand current trade laws to protect thousands of jobs potentially threatened by trade agreements, including the jobs of farmers, ranchers and fishermen.

The provision included to assist sugar producers was most directly tied to the recent trade issue involving stuffed molasses. Stuffed molasses is a mixture of molasses, water and sugar from which certain components can easily be stripped away, leaving behind liquid sugar.

The current Trade Assistance Adjustment program was established by Congress in 1962 to assist workers whose job loss is associated with increased imports. In 2000, about 35,000 workers received TAA benefits but eligibility requirements have not kept up with changing times, Baucus said.

"An extended TAA program will help hundreds of additional Montana workers by making farmers, ranchers and fishermen eligible for assistance," Baucus said. "TAA will also provide benefits to secondary workers, including suppliers and downstream producers."

"This is a good bill that will make a real difference to hard working Americans and Montanans. And now that we've included protections for sugar producers, the bill will benefit many more workers. This is about creating a level playing field. And protecting American jobs. I'll keep fighting hard to protect our sugar farmers and the rest of Montana's producers. It's just common sense," said Baucus.