Georgia Mountain News

Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today questioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its seafood inspection standards following concerns that United States shrimpers are not given the opportunity to fairly compete in the global market. The remarks were made during the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee’s hearing on “Evaluating FDA’s Human Foods and Tobacco Programs.”

“I have the honor and privilege of representing the entire coast of Georgia, over 100 miles of pristine coastline. Shrimping is a big industry in our state and shrimpers right now are really suffering,” said Rep. Carter.

Carter discussed legislation known as the LESS Act, introduced by Representatives Graves and Castor, which aims to ensure that shrimp in the United States are free from illegal antibiotics or products of illegal fishing operations.

“With all due respect to Representative Graves and Representative Castor, the co-sponsors of this bill, wild Georgia shrimp are the best in the world and that’s all there is to it. That’s not really up for debate,” he stated.

Carter emphasized the importance of shrimping to his district, particularly in McIntosh and Glynn Counties. He highlighted challenges faced by Georgia shrimpers in competing globally.

“Unfortunately, Georgia shrimpers who are entirely based in my district face significant challenges to their ability to operate and compete in a global market for seafood. This is truly a shame as more and more Americans turn to our country’s number one seafood product,” he noted.

Carter addressed FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Food James Jones regarding seafood inspection processes.

“Mr. Jones, this bill, the LESS Act that's been introduced by Representative Graves and Representative Castor, it aims to ensure that shrimp in the United States are free from illegal antibiotics or products of illegal fishing operations. Could you speak to the extent of these issues and how Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points works to identify and mitigate food safety issues before they happen rather than relying on finished product testing?” Carter asked.

He stressed that while competition is not being opposed, it is crucial for local industries to survive amid unfair practices such as illegal fishing and use of prohibited antibiotics.

“These guys are really struggling…I’m not trying to do away with competition, but at the same time we really need this industry to survive,” he said.

“We know there’s illegal fishing that’s going on, we know that they’re using illegal antibiotics that are not allowed here in this country, so all we’re asking for is a competitive playing field; all we’re asking for is to be able to compete,” Carter added.

"I hope the FDA understands that and understands the value of this because if they’re dumping all these shrimp that are being raised in Indonesia or wherever it may be, then that’s really a problem, and that's really unfair," he concluded.