Monroe, Louisiana (KTVE/KARD) — Louisiana lawmakers are cracking down on imported seafood, saying it could hurt local businesses and raise health concerns.
Louisiana’s seafood industry generates $2.5 billion a year for the state’s economy and accounts for one in every 70 jobs, which is why state and federal politicians are turning their attention back to foreign seafood.
Randall Garvin, owner of Randall’s Captain Avery’s Seafood & Specialty Meats in Monroe, said imported seafood is teeth It’s cheap, but it’s not the same seafood you can get off the Gulf Coast.
When asked why people should buy local, Randall replied, “Your money stays in the state, it keeps Gulf Coast residents in business, and the seafood is fresher and tastier.”
Large amounts of untested foreign seafood are coming into the country, and it’s unclear what’s in these shipments.
Imported seafood could sell for much cheaper prices, undercutting the clean produce supplied by Louisiana fishermen.
The following bills have been passed by the Louisiana State Legislature:
- Bill 756: Transfers the Seafood Safety Task Force to the Ministry of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to study ways to improve seafood safety.
- Act No. 667: All seafood processors must obtain a commercial seafood permit.
- Act 787: Increases fees on imported seafood.
- Law No. 561: Bans the use of imported seafood in school lunches.
- Bill 148: Requires restaurants that use imported seafood to label their products
Lawmakers hope that allowing the FDA to weed out harmful seafood will encourage people to buy locally sourced seafood, ensuring its safety.
