Don't worry, New York, maple syrup is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, it prevents cancer...or we just tell ourselves that to justify eating it by the spoonful. (Everyone does that, right?) According to Senator Chuck Schumer, New York state has more sugar maples than Quebec, and he is renewing his efforts to make the state "global leaders in the maple industry."
The Maple Tapping Access Program Act was introduced in 2009 and didn't go far, but Schumer thinks he'll have the opportunity to attach it to a five-year farm bill Congress is in the middle of drafting. The bill would provide grants and incentives to people with sugar maples on their private land to open them up for tapping. About 68% of New York's maples are on private land, but Schumer estimates the bill to bring in $82 million in revenue from syrup and other maple products. Schumer said, “Passing this bill would provide a sweeter future for our maple farmers across Upstate New York." Watch out Markowitz, Schumer is blowing up your spot.
