Sunday November 11, 2012

Election Results Effect Candy Business

Washington, DC — While Barack Obama will remain president, the Democrats improve their Senate majority and Republicans retain a House majority, the 2012 results of the election will bring a few changes to Washington that will have a direct effect on the confectionery industry.

Perhaps the most notable change is the addition of eight new House Agriculture Committee members and three new Senate Agriculture Committee members. With the personnel changes, Republican Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi is likely to become the new ranking member of the Senate Agriculture committee,. He will likely support the current U.S. sugar policy.

With Obama's reelection, First Lady Michelle Obama will also be sure to continue her Let's Move campaign to reduce childhood obesity. President Obama's policies will also continue to impact the confectionery industry on several fronts, including food safety, nutrition, agriculture and farm policy and trade policy.

Another important issue is the Farm Bill. While the Senate already passed a version of the bill, the House has yet to do some and many provisions that the NCA participates in, including the Market Access Program, are set to expire at the end of the year. Analysts predict a version of the bill to come up during "lame duck" sessions as early as next week, and they predict that a six-month to one-year extension will be passed.