Coalition calls for end to ethanol subsidies

By Ann Bagel Storck on 11/17/2008

A coalition of groups including the National Turkey Federation, the American Meat Institute, the National Chicken Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association plans to gather in Washington Tuesday to ask Congress and the next administration to repeal ethanol subsidies.

The coalition, which also includes environmental organizations, government watchdog groups and hunger advocates, will also share the results of a recent Ipsos Omnibus Survey that “point to overwhelming concern across the U.S. about rising food prices and shifting attitudes toward corn ethanol,” according to a news release about the event.

In the news release, the coalition noted that since Congress created the first subsidy for ethanol 30 years ago, those subsidies have increased to cost taxpayers nearly $5 billion annually.