A bipartisan trio of Home lawmakers launched the Safer Shrimp Imports Act on Could 13, aiming to tighten federal oversight of imported shrimp, defend U.S. customers, and bolster the struggling Gulf Coast shrimp trade.
Led by Reps. Mike Ezell, R-MS, Julia Letlow, R-LA, and Troy Carter, D-LA, the laws builds on a Senate proposal, S.667, by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-MS, and aligns with the “Make America Wholesome Once more” initiative to boost meals security, in keeping with lawmakers.
With roughly 90 % of shrimp consumed in america imported from international locations like India and Ecuador, usually with much less stringent meals security requirements, the invoice seeks to shut oversight gaps. The FDA at the moment assessments lower than 0.1 % of shrimp imports for banned substances, a spot critics say leaves customers susceptible to contaminated seafood, in keeping with Hyde-Smith’s press launch on Feb. 24.
Shrimp import security measures
The Safer Shrimp Imports Act would require the Meals and Drug Administration to extend testing for contaminants comparable to antibiotics, pesticides and micro organism. It could require shrimp exporters to satisfy U.S. security requirements, making use of an analogous “equivalence” framework utilized by the USDA for imported catfish, guaranteeing abroad producers aren’t held to looser guidelines. The laws would additionally mandate public reporting of inspection outcomes, that are already a matter of pubic document.
“Rising up on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, I understand how necessary the shrimp trade is— not simply to our economic system, however to our lifestyle,” Ezell stated on X on Could 13. “Our native Gulf Coast shrimpers are enjoying by the principles whereas international producers are flooding the market with unsafe, low-quality merchandise.”
Defending Gulf Coast shrimpers
The invoice enhances the Save Our Shrimpers Act, a separate 2025 Home invoice co-sponsored by Ezell, Letlow, Carter and led by Rep. Troy Nehls, R-TX, which prohibits U.S. funds from supporting international shrimp farming via worldwide monetary establishments.
Each payments deal with financial challenges confronted by Gulf Coast shrimpers, who argue that international producers profit from subsidies and lax rules. In 2024, the FDA refused 47 shrimp entry strains due to contamination, highlighting oversight gaps, as reported by the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
Letlow emphasised the financial toll on Louisiana, a serious shrimp-producing state.
“I’m working with @RepEzell and @RepTroyCarter to carry international governments accountable for dumping inferior shrimp into our markets, contaminating our meals provide, and undercutting our Louisiana shrimpers,” she stated on X publish on Could 14.
Trade assist and subsequent steps
The American Shrimp Processors Affiliation (ASPA) and Southern Shrimp Alliance strongly assist the Safer Shrimp Imports Act.
“We now have labored laborious for practically a decade to make sure international shrimp producers adjust to the identical stringent well being and security necessities as our home producers,” stated ASPA President Trey Pearson.
John Williams, govt director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, stated “The Safer Shrimp Imports Act would require international shrimp to satisfy the identical meals security requirements as home shrimp, serving to to guard customers and degree the enjoying subject for the home trade.”
The Home invoice has been despatched to the Vitality and Commerce Committee; its Senate counterpart, S.667, awaits motion in committee.
(To enroll in a free subscription to Meals Security Information, click on right here.)
A bipartisan trio of Home lawmakers launched the Safer Shrimp Imports Act on Could 13, aiming to tighten federal oversight of imported shrimp, defend U.S. customers, and bolster the struggling Gulf Coast shrimp trade.
Led by Reps. Mike Ezell, R-MS, Julia Letlow, R-LA, and Troy Carter, D-LA, the laws builds on a Senate proposal, S.667, by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-MS, and aligns with the “Make America Wholesome Once more” initiative to boost meals security, in keeping with lawmakers.
With roughly 90 % of shrimp consumed in america imported from international locations like India and Ecuador, usually with much less stringent meals security requirements, the invoice seeks to shut oversight gaps. The FDA at the moment assessments lower than 0.1 % of shrimp imports for banned substances, a spot critics say leaves customers susceptible to contaminated seafood, in keeping with Hyde-Smith’s press launch on Feb. 24.
Shrimp import security measures
The Safer Shrimp Imports Act would require the Meals and Drug Administration to extend testing for contaminants comparable to antibiotics, pesticides and micro organism. It could require shrimp exporters to satisfy U.S. security requirements, making use of an analogous “equivalence” framework utilized by the USDA for imported catfish, guaranteeing abroad producers aren’t held to looser guidelines. The laws would additionally mandate public reporting of inspection outcomes, that are already a matter of pubic document.
“Rising up on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, I understand how necessary the shrimp trade is— not simply to our economic system, however to our lifestyle,” Ezell stated on X on Could 13. “Our native Gulf Coast shrimpers are enjoying by the principles whereas international producers are flooding the market with unsafe, low-quality merchandise.”
Defending Gulf Coast shrimpers
The invoice enhances the Save Our Shrimpers Act, a separate 2025 Home invoice co-sponsored by Ezell, Letlow, Carter and led by Rep. Troy Nehls, R-TX, which prohibits U.S. funds from supporting international shrimp farming via worldwide monetary establishments.
Each payments deal with financial challenges confronted by Gulf Coast shrimpers, who argue that international producers profit from subsidies and lax rules. In 2024, the FDA refused 47 shrimp entry strains due to contamination, highlighting oversight gaps, as reported by the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
Letlow emphasised the financial toll on Louisiana, a serious shrimp-producing state.
“I’m working with @RepEzell and @RepTroyCarter to carry international governments accountable for dumping inferior shrimp into our markets, contaminating our meals provide, and undercutting our Louisiana shrimpers,” she stated on X publish on Could 14.
Trade assist and subsequent steps
The American Shrimp Processors Affiliation (ASPA) and Southern Shrimp Alliance strongly assist the Safer Shrimp Imports Act.
“We now have labored laborious for practically a decade to make sure international shrimp producers adjust to the identical stringent well being and security necessities as our home producers,” stated ASPA President Trey Pearson.
John Williams, govt director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, stated “The Safer Shrimp Imports Act would require international shrimp to satisfy the identical meals security requirements as home shrimp, serving to to guard customers and degree the enjoying subject for the home trade.”
The Home invoice has been despatched to the Vitality and Commerce Committee; its Senate counterpart, S.667, awaits motion in committee.
(To enroll in a free subscription to Meals Security Information, click on right here.)
