The one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill keeps the possibility of sugar policy reform on the table, according to a Jan. 9 sugar reform update from the Independent Bakers Association (IBA).

Senate Agriculture Committee chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and House Agriculture Committee chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) hope to start drafting a new five-year farm bill at the end of February. Despite the Stabenow and Lucas’ goal, the introduction of a farm bill may be postponed until March, says IBA. The last-minute compromise on the debt ceiling between Congress and President Obama produced a two-month delay of sequestration.

IBA says it will be working with the Coalition for Sugar Reform, in the coming months, to include sugar reform in the new legislation. In addition, IBA is increasing publicity on sugar reform through social and traditional media outlets, as well as educating new members of Congress on the value of sugar reform and its importance to their constituents.