Sen. Mary Landrieu advocated keeping anti-dumping tariffs on imported shrimp. (Photo: YouTube, SenatorLandrieu)

Testimony given to keep antidumping duties on shrimp imports

UNITED STATES
Wednesday, February 02, 2011, 23:30 (GMT + 9)

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has held a hearing to decide if the national shrimp industry would be debilitated if antidumping duties on shrimp imported from Brazil, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam are revoked. The shrimpers and lawmakers involved argue that last year’s BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and recurring hurricanes warrant granting the USD 2 billion-industry this protection.

“Gulf shrimp-industry producers have proven their resolve in the face of natural and man-made disasters,” Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) stated at the hearing, Bloomberg reports. “The 2005 and 2008 hurricanes, the economic recession, and most recently the massive Gulf oil spill, have put this industry on the brink of collapse.” 

Testimony supporting the continuation of duties plus that from Senators Landrieu, Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) were heard by the Commission.

Five years ago, the US imposed duties that can be more than 100 per cent on shrimp imports. World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules mandate that the US review its duties every five years, and the panel will vote on whether to continue the tariffs next month.

The US shrimp industry is the country’s most valuable fishery, supporting hundreds of coastal communities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Governors Barbour (R-MS) and Jindal (R-LA), Senators Shelby (R-AL), Sessions (R-AL), and Vitter (R-LA), and Representatives Bonner (R-AL), Walter Jones (R-NC), Landry (R-LA) and Palazzo (R-MS) and Boustany (R-LA) sent letters describing the deep harm that would result to thousands of shrimp businesses across those states if dumped shrimp is enters the US market in full force. 

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) welcomes the prominent support appearing for the tens of thousands of family businesses relying on shrimp sales.

“The SSA is extremely thankful for the testimony of Senators Mary Landrieu, Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker in support of the antidumping orders,” said John Williams, executive director of the SSA. “The overwhelming support from senators, House representatives, governors and other elected officials of the shrimp industry is a testament to the economic importance of the industry to the Gulf and South Atlantic region.”

Further, the SSA has expressed gratitude toward the US shrimp industry representatives who went out of their way to give testimony pertaining to how unfair trade damages competitive, multi-generational, family-owned companies. Particularly, Jonathan Appelbaum of Penguin Frozen Foods, Regina Garcia Peña of Philly Seafood Company and shrimpers James Blanchard of Louisiana, Steve Bosarge of Mississippi and Nicole Dubberly of Georgia testified in support of the Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Committee.

The Commission’s hearing comprises part of the first five-year “Sunset Review” of the antidumping duties on imported shrimp. The Department of Commerce (DOC) previously concluded that shrimp exporters from the aforementioned five countries may resume dumping if trade relief is removed.

Related articles:

- US asked to release money locked up in customs bonds 
- Shrimp exporters appeal to WTO over new US tariffs 
- DOC lowers shrimp exporters' anti-dumping tariffs 

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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