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Justice and Jobs

Nearly every time we talk sugar reform, two points land with the greatest force.

The first point has to do with the unjust and hypocritical approach to sugarcane burning in south Florida.

The second forceful point has to do with jobs.

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Forced Labor and Sugar Reform

The US move to block sugar imports from the Fanjul family-owned Central Romana plantation in the Dominican Republic has electrified our campaign for sugar industry reform, putting a spotlight on the use of forced labor in sugar production.

That spotlight forces us to consider the tragedy of forced labor inside one of our closest neighbors. Perhaps more important, it forces us to consider the fact that US policy makes that forced labor possible.

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Sugar Reform Game Changer

In an extraordinary move last week, the U.S. blocked sugar imports from a Fanjul family-owned sugar plantation in the Dominican Republic. The plantation, Central Romana, produces sugar sold under the Domino label (the Fanjuls also own C&H Sugar, Florida Crystals and other brands). According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the move is based on "information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in its operations," including abusive working and living conditions and withheld wages.

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A Coalition Built for Political Uncertainty

While we wait for answers on party control of the US House and Senate, here's what we know for certain: Big Sugar is on its heels, with a political landscape that has shifted sharply in favor of industry reform.

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Axios: Power Shifts against Big Sugar

Per Axios:

Sensing a power shift, clean water advocates say candidates should reject that money and quit doing the bidding of an industry that harms the environment.

Image from Axios / Allie Carl

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AP: Surge of Momentum in Bipartisan Effort for Sugar Reform

From AP:

STUART, Fla., May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- VoteWater, a Florida-based group with a mission to fight political corruption and defend the public’s right to clean water, today announced the launch of the No Big Sugar Campaign, a landmark effort to end the influence of Big Sugar money in politics and free elected leaders to act in the best interest of their communities.

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Miami Herald on No Big Sugar Launch

From the Miami Herald:

Coming off a pivotal legislative session and heading into election season, Florida’s largest sugar growers have given more than $6 million in campaign contributions to state races and thousands more to federal campaigns.

But Florida clean water advocates want candidates to sour on sugar money. VoteWater, a Florida-based advocacy organization that says its mission is to “fight political corruption and defend the public’s right to clean water,” on Wednesday launched the No Big Sugar Campaign, an open letter urging the public to support candidates who reject political contributions from the industry.

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BLACK SNOW: Big Sugar’s Burning Problem

A ProPublica Series investigating how regulators have allowed the sugar industry to burn crops at the expense of poor communities of color in Florida’s heartland.

Photography by Thomas Cordy with The Palm Beach Post.

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