WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting the purchase of Gulf shrimp following market access issues due to the massive influx of imported products from overseas that could be harmful to consumers.
“Louisiana’s shrimp industry is integral to both our state and national economies. As the leading shrimp harvester in the Gulf, Louisiana has led the United States in shrimp landings every year since 2000. However, the shrimp industry is also grappling with some of the lowest prices in recent memory due to a surge in imported product from overseas. It’s disturbing that our shrimpers earn less than half of what they used to make,” writes Congressman Higgins.
The letter emphasizes the reinstatement of the USDA Commodity Procurement program under section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act. “The program had a significant positive impact in prior years, facilitating the movement of products and putting many in the industry back to work. Further, it helped stabilize the price of domestic shrimp and provided financial support to fishermen facing adversity from imported seafood, inflation, and other challenges.”
Read the letter here.