October 21, 2019 (Anchorage, AK) – Alaska Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Resolution on the Inspection of Imported Seafood into the United States. The resolution, sponsored by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser (R-Louisiana), calls for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to take immediate measures to increase the level of seafood inspection, requiring imported seafood is accompanied by a lab certificate to ensure compliance with U.S. food and drug laws. The resolution proposes imposing a per pound inspection fee to pay for inspectors.
“Alaska is truly enriched by its seafood industry—one of the state’s largest industries. While we maintain our high standards of Alaskan seafood, a large market of foreign seafood that is not adequately inspected or tested remains. I am happy to co-sponsor this resolution, and urge our federal partners to take action on increasing the level of seafood inspection to ensure quality product reaches our borders,” said Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer. “Additionally, I thank the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee for taking a first step at proactively addressing this issue for American citizens.”
In September, the United States Senate Appropriations Committee approved an appropriations bill for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and related agencies for fiscal year 2020. $1 million was earmarked for the FDA to inspect imported seafood.
In a letter dated September 20, 2019, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser wrote, “foreign seafood, especially those species harvested in aquaculture facilities, are often treated with large doses of antibiotics and other chemicals to treat diseases and enhance their growth. The United States remains the largest, and most open, market for contaminated shrimp; just one of the many species of imported seafood. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development, today. These antibiotics can cause deadly forms of cancer and other diseases.”
Click here to read the Resolution on the Inspection of Imported Seafood into the United States.
Click here to read Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s letter.
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Craig Medred wrote a great article recently on the Alaska fishing market vs international farmed fish and the impact it's been having on our economy. Read it here
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