U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) led a bipartisan letter on Friday urging the European Commission to reject a lobster ban proposed by Sweden.
The European Union (EU) Scientific Forum on Invasive Alien Species advanced Sweden’s request to ban all American lobster imports for further consideration last month.
In a bipartisan led sent by Collins, Poliquin and Maine’s congressional delegation, the lawmakers urged the European Commission to consider peer-reviewed science and the potential economic repercussions of a lobster ban.
“As the congressional representatives of Maine, the state where an overwhelming majority of all American lobster — including that which is destined for European markets — is landed, we are deeply concerned about the negative impacts of Sweden’s proposed import ban,” the lawmakers wrote.
With more than $200 million in live American lobster exported to the EU each year, a ban would negatively impact Maine’s economy, thousands of constituents’ livelihoods, and retail and restaurant businesses in EU member nations, the lawmakers added.
“As the Scientific Committee weighs Sweden’s petition, we request that the RA (risk assessment) continue to be measured against the best available peer-reviewed science and that alternative targeted mitigation solutions be considered to address this perceived risk,” the lawmakers continued. “We also urge (the committee) to consider the economic repercussions that the proposed ban would have. We believe ecological risks have been well-studied and are minimal and that it is in the best interest of all parties involved to continue this sector of trans Atlantic trade.”