Louisiana lawmakers are considering a batch of bills to address concerns over the safety and labeling of imported seafood. The proposed legislation would increase fees and licensing requirements on dealers bringing in foreign seafood, expand safety testing, and require more accurate labeling about the origin of seafood products.
This action comes as imports now make up nearly 90% of the U.S. seafood supply, and Louisiana's seafood industry faces challenges from the influx of foreign, often cheaper, products. The bills aim to protect the state's seafood industry and ensure consumers have accurate information about the source of the seafood they purchase.
Citations:
[1] https://www.redriverradio.org/news/2024-07-01/imported-seafood-safety-fears-prompt-more-action-in-louisiana
[2] https://www.wbrz.com/news/louisiana-lawmakers-introduce-batch-of-bills-to-protect-state-seafood-industry-from-imports/
[3] https://www.klfy.com/louisiana/la-congressmen-introduce-imported-seafood-safety-bill/
[4] https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1328526
[5] https://civileats.com/2023/06/20/cheap-imports-leave-us-shrimpers-struggling-to-compete/