Catfish fillets for exports. (Photo: Stock File)
Imported catfish inspection rollback raises controversies
UNITED STATES
Friday, May 27, 2016, 02:30 (GMT + 9)
The United States Senate voted in favour of stopping the implementation of the catfish inspection programme, a decision that has been opposed by the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA).
The programme the lawmakers rejected is part of Senate Resolution 28, which intends to ensure the imported species complies with all US food and safety rules and takes safety oversight of catfish and other ray-finned fish away from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), giving that authority to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), in charge of performing the regular inspections, ABC News reported.
Those legislators that voted against USDA’s inspection programme deem it as being a “veiled attempt” to protect southeastern American catfish companies from having to compete with Vietnamese importers and argue that the USDA is duplicating efforts by the FDA, which costs taxpayers millions of dollars.
While those supporting the programme claim the inspections are a means of protecting people from possibly eating contaminated catfish with carcinogenic chemicals.
Meanwhile, ASPA condemns the Senate’s vote, which the association considers that it favours foreign seafood imports over consumers’ safety.
Besides, ASPA had supported the transfer of these inspections to the USDA, since they believe the FDA does not have “adequate resources to provide vigorous inspection of imported seafood.”
The Association ensures that currently FDA inspects only 1-2 per cent of imported seafood.
“I can’t understand how a US Senator can vote to support the special interests of the catfish importing community over the health and safety of the American people,” claimed ASPA Executive Director Dr. David Veal.
Veal also commented that USDA estimates the cost of the catfish inspection program at approximately USD 1.1 million per year, which he considers to be a drop in the bucket, and worth every cent if it prevents even one single cancer.
ASPA representatives also highlighted that the vote is even more confounding in light of USDA reports over the last two weeks that it rejected several shipments of imported catfish due to the presence of illegal drugs.
The Association recommends the Gulf Coast delegation to continue fighting for the safety of their food supply.
“The domestic shrimp industry stands with these Senators who measure the health and safety of American citizens above special interest dollars and cents. This resolution further empowers the domestic seafood industry to ensure that the economic interests of the importing community are not placed ahead of American health and safety,” ASPA representatives stressed.
The association also urges anyone who cares about the safety of our food supply to contact their local congressional office to oppose this action in the House of Representatives.
Related article:
- More than 20 firms allowed to export catfish to US
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