WASHINGTON, March 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) held a public hearing to help decide whether to renew anti-dumping trade enforcement orders against Brazil, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam in place for five more years or whether to sunset those orders. The USITC will hold a final vote on May 2, which will decide their fate.
Public official allies of the domestic shrimp industry today stressed that these orders are critical to restore free and fair trade in shrimp. American Shrimp Processor Association (ASPA) leaders appreciate the strong support of these public officials from the Gulf and South Atlantic regions that are critical to this effort to keep the domestic shrimp industry viable for the long term.
“We are so pleased that 14 public officials from across the Gulf and South Atlantic Coast have weighed in so far at the USITC in support of domestic shrimp harvesters, processors and distributors,” said Dr. David Veal, Executive Director of ASPA. “We are grateful that the representatives, senators, and statewide officials support the retention of anti-dumping orders on foreign shrimp.”
“In particular, we want to thank Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA), Walter Jones (R-NC) and Steven Palazzo (R-MS), as well as Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser (R-LA), who all testified in person today at the USITC,” said Eddy Hayes, Gulf Counsel to ASPA. “Their commitment to trade enforcement and leveling the playing field for the domestic shrimp industry is impressive,” he added.
“We are optimistic that the result of this Sunset Review will be the retention of these important anti-dumping orders,” Dr. Veal noted. “Leaders from our Gulf and South Atlantic regions understand the economic and cultural impact of the shrimp industry and are committed to its survival,” Hayes added.
So far Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Kennedy (R-LA), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Luther Strange (R-AL), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) have all committed to submit either letters or testimony in support of the domestic shrimp industry. On the House side, Representatives Clay Higgins (R-LA), Cedric Richmond (R-LA), Steve Scalise (R-LA), and Randy Weber (R-TX) have all committed to support the domestic shrimp industry. Additional input from other public officials from the region is also welcome.
“ASPA is so appreciative of all the support that our government officials have provided. They are an impressive group of leaders for their constituents,” Dr. Veal noted.
The American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA), based in Biloxi, Mississippi, was formed in 1964 to represent and promote the interests of the domestic, U.S. wild-caught, warm water shrimp processing industry along the Gulf Coast with members from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. We are the collective voice of the industry, and our focus is to promote the interests of shrimp processors, other segments of the U.S. domestic wild-caught shrimp industry and the general public.