Tester to world’s largest beer producer: Keep buying Montana wheat and barley

Senator stands up for Montana producers

(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today urged Anheuser-Busch to continue purchasing wheat and barley from Montana farmers in advance of its proposed acquisition of SABMiller.

In a letter to CEO Carlos Brito, Tester asked Anheuser-Busch to detail out any potential impacts that the acquisition would have on the company’s current or future grain contracts in Montana.

“Montana’s world-class grain harvests are used to make numerous products around the world, including beer,” said Tester – who likes to drink an occasional cold one. “Our producers consistently provide outstanding crops to their buyers and have enjoyed a strong relationship with your company. I appreciate that Anheuser-Busch InBev knows this well through its contracts with hundreds of Montana farmers.”

In November it was announced that Anheuser-Busch, the world’s largest beer producer, had reached an agreement to acquire SABMiller for $106 billion.

In order to cut red tape for local brewers, Tester is sponsoring legislation that will lower taxes and reduce regulations on Montana breweries and distilleries, which use over 3 million pounds of Montana grain each year to produce beer and spirits.

Tester is also pushing the new Canadian Minister of Agriculture to eliminate unfair trade practices that are hurting Montana farmers.

Tester’s letter to Anheuser-Busch is available HERE.