15 NOVEMBER 2005 - FRANKLIN, LA: Sugar cane pulp moves through the grinders at the St. Mary Sugar Co-Op Mill near Franklin, Louisiana during the 2005 sugar cane harvest. The grinders pulverize the cane to extract the juice, which contains the sugar, from it. Louisiana is one of the leading sugar cane producing states in the US and the economy in southern Louisiana, especially St. Mary and Iberia Parishes, is built around the cultivation of sugar. The mill employs about 180 people. The two mills near Franklin contribute about $150 million (US) to the local economy. Sugar growers in the area are concerned that trade officials will eliminate sugar price supports during upcoming trade talks for the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). They say elimination of price supports will devastate sugar growers in the US and the local economies of sugar growing areas. They also say it will ultimately lead to higher sugar prices for US consumers.PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
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