WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement after Outlaw Ocean Project’s whistleblower report on the safety of shrimp imported from India into the U.S. was released earlier today.
“Today’s report outlining the abuses at Choice Canning Company’s shrimp processing factory in India makes clear why Indian shrimp does not belong on the shelf alongside Louisiana shrimp,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Indian shrimp relies on forced labor and is pumped full of illegal antibiotics. USTR needs to act to ensure American consumers are not put in harm’s way.”
Background
Cassidy has worked to protect the Louisiana shrimp industry from unfair and harmful trade practices. Last year, Cassidy introduced two bills to protect Louisiana shrimp against India’s dumping of cheap shrimp and produce into U.S. markets. The Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act and the India Shrimp Tariff Act will both protect the Louisiana agricultural industry while ensuring that food that appears on U.S. store shelves meets U.S. health standards.
Additionally, Cassidy successfully pushed the International Trade Commission to keep anti-dumping orders for frozen warmwater shrimp from India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam in place last year.
In January, Cassidy worked to secure $27,152,411.00 for Louisiana fisheries, shrimpers, and fishing communities affected by natural disasters between 2017 and 2022.
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