The American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) is throwing its support behind a seafood safety bill introduced late last week in the U.S. Senate by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.).
The Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act would tighten restrictions on seafood imports and reform testing standards. Vitter is chairman of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee.
“Our industry has battled waves of unfairly traded shrimp from overseas for many years,” said Dr. David Veal, director for the association. “Many foreign countries producing farm-raised shrimp may not use the same safety standards as required in the U.S., as such, unapproved chemicals and antibiotics may find their way if the product ships to the U.S. for consumption. This potentially puts consumers at risk.”
The Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act also requires exporters to meet U.S. safety standards; mandates increased inspections; imposes penalties on exporters who fail inspections and safety tests; enables state governments to assist in funding inspections; ends the practice of “port shopping” to find weaker inspection regimens at ports of entry; and imposes stiff on mislabeling attempts.
“Our members strive to meet all regulations put upon the American shrimp industry, and it’s important that this bill pass so foreign shrimp producers are held to the same standards. We support any bill that helps manage the obstacles foreign shrimp may pose to our consumers,” said Veal.
