U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) on May 13 cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to significantly increase testing of imported shrimp and to publicly report the inspection results.
The Safer Shrimp Imports Act, H.R. 3324, which bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) introduced with original cosponsors Rep. Letlow and U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), aims to tighten federal inspection standards for imported shrimp, protect American consumers and domestic seafood producers, and increase consumer confidence.
“As we work to restore an economy built on American sweat and labor, it’s vital that Congress stands up for our Gulf Coast shrimpers,” Rep. Letlow said. “Our Safer Shrimp Imports Act would hold foreign governments accountable for dumping inferior, subsidized shrimp into American markets, contaminating our food supply and undercutting our Louisiana shrimpers.”
According to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers, imported shrimp accounts for roughly 90 percent of the shrimp consumed in the United States, much of which comes from countries with weak food safety standards and inadequate oversight.
“By holding foreign shrimp imports to the same safety standards as our domestic producers, this legislation will safeguard public health, promote fair trade, and guarantee consumers can trust what’s on their plates,” said Rep. Carter.
The American Shrimp Processors Association and the Southern Shrimp Alliance both support H.R. 3324, which has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.