The program was first installed into the 2008 Farm Bill. It took responsibility for inspecting imported catfish out of the hands of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and gave it to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Proponents at the time said the USDA would be better able to screen imports for toxic chemicals and other contaminants, but opponents have argued that the program was in fact put in place to protect a collection of domestic catfish producers by erecting an unofficial trade barrier to Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam.
Many groups, including the Government Accountability Office and the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), argued that the USDA has already spend millions just to equip itself to inspect catfish, and to date has not inspected a single fish.
Now, the U.S. Congress is working on an update of the bill, and the House Agricultural Committee voted to repeal the program, giving inspection responsibility back to the FDA. With the full house now voting to repeal it, the Senate has to also vote for a repeal to make it law.
Today, NFI Spokesman Gavin Gibbons praised the House for its vote, calling it “more evidence that catfish repeal is a priority in Washington.”
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., who sits on the committee and is one of many congressmen opposed to the program, said its repeal will save American taxpayers more than USD 170 million (EUR 130.4 million) over the next 10 years.
"I look forward to the House and Senate working together to iron out the differences in the two versions of the Farm Bill,” she said in a statement.
“Today was an important step toward enacting a five-year farm bill this year that gives our farmers and ranchers certainty, provides regulatory relief to small businesses across the country, significantly reduces spending, and makes common-sense, market-oriented reforms to agricultural policy. I look forward to continuing conversations with my House colleagues and starting conversations with my Senate colleagues on a path forward that ultimately gets a farm bill to the President’s desk in the coming months,” added Agriculture Committee chairman Frank Lucas, in a statement.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The US remains Vietnam’s largest single market for shrimp imports, accounting for 20% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports globally. As of October 15th, 2024, Vietnamese shrimp exports to the US reached nearly 600 million dollas, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs, pangasius exports to Canada reached over 1 million USD in the first half of October 2024, a 33% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, by October 15, 2024, total pangasius exports to Canada had reached 32 million USD, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Cà Mau is accelerating its digital transformation, developing green industries, and promoting high-tech processing of agricultural and aquatic products, with a focus on sustainable economic growth and environmental protection.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Dong Thap Pangasius Festival 2024, themed 'Dong Thap Pangasius: Green Journey - Green Value', will take place on November 16-17 in Hong Ngu City.
The positive business momentum in the domestic seafood sector could last into the first half of 2025, according to experts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three quarters of 2024, brackish water shrimp production exceeded 1.1 million tons, with export revenue reaching $2.8 billion. The seafood industry has set a target of $4 billion for shrimp exports for the entire year.
While the price of 1 kg of shrimp hovers around 20 USD, the value of 1 kg of chitosan—extracted from shrimp—can soar to 500 USD. This highlights a significant challenge within the seafood processing industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By October, Vietnam's shrimp exports had generated nearly $3 billion, reflecting an increase of over 10% compared to the same period last year. Shrimp remains the leading commodity contributing to the export turnover of the entire seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Foods Joint Stock Company (FIMEX VN - HoSE: FMC) concluded Q3/2024 with significant growth in revenue. Specifically, Sao Ta Food recorded revenue of VND 2,845 billion, a 58.6% increase year-on-year. The company's profit after tax reached VND 95 billion, up 6.2%.
VASEP's Seafood Export Report for the third quarter of 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of Vietnam's seafood export performance in the first nine months, with impressive results reaching $7.2 billion—an increase of 9% over the same period last year. In the third quarter alone, seafood exports grew by 15%, totaling $2.8 billion. This growth is attributed to a recovery in demand and prices in key markets such as the U.S. and China, as well as the competitive advantage of value-added products in markets like Japan and Australia.
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