U.S. senators urge repeal of USDA catfish rule

Originally part of the 2008 Farm Bill, the measure has been a source of controversy that opponents — including many seafood importers — argue is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer money.

Implementation of the measure has been delayed, much to the chagrin of U.S. catfish farmers who argue that the measure is essential for food safety and fair competition. They argue that their overseas competitors should be subject to the same scrutiny.

The senators — including John Kerry (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) — said the USDA program would “simply supplant the existing FDA [Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points] seafood regulatory scheme, an approach that is designed to take account of the differing food safety hazards that arise from aquaculture products such as catfish. By contrast, USDA has acknowledged that it possesses limited information and experience related to aquaculture and that the benefits of its new program are ‘uncertain.’”

The USDA program could be put in place as soon as 2013, and could cost about USD 30 million, according to the Government Accountability Office. The senators say funds better spent on other USDA programs would be “misapplied” to fund the catfish inspection program.

Vietnam’s pangasius industry would stand to lose an important market if the measure becomes policy. USDA regulations for products under its purview require an equivalent inspection program in the exporting nation, something Vietnam does not currently have. Essentially, the shift would cut them out of the U.S. market.

Last year, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and the National Fisheries Institute of McLean, Va., both said the inspection process should remain with FDA, as every other seafood product currently is. 

“We believe it is important for U.S. consumers to know that the seafood we produce in Vietnam is safe and nutritious,” VASEP said in a statement last February. “Pangasius, in particular, now meets or exceeds all mandatory requirements for export to world markets, including HACCP. In addition, our exporting companies comply with a range of stringent voluntary programs such as GlobalGAP, the British Retail Consortium, SQF 1000 and USDC. To suggest otherwise, as the U.S. catfish industry continues to do, does a disservice to U.S. consumers, retailers, restaurant operators, and importers — all who enjoy our high-quality, safe, versatile and affordable fish.”

The measure to shift inspection agencies has the backing of The Catfish Institute and numerous Southern legislators, including Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.). The Catfish Farmers of America (CFA) has aggressively campaigned against imported catfish and pangasius on the grounds that the products do not meet U.S. safety standards. 

Last spring, CFA accused the U.S. government of “backpedaling” following the GAO report questioning the cost of transferring regulation authority to USDA.