Cassidy, Hyde-Smith Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Unfair Trade Practices, Protect Louisiana Shrimp, Catfish Industries

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) introduced the India Shrimp Tariff Act to protect Louisiana's shrimp and catfish industries against India's dumping of cheap shrimp and produce into U.S. markets.

"People come from all over to try Louisiana gumbo, jambalaya, and shrimp and grits. That's because our shrimpers and catfish farmers meet high standards," said Dr. Cassidy. "By leveling the playing field, this bill protects Louisiana seafood and the jobs that depend on it."

"For too long Indian shrimp has been dumped on the U.S. market with minimal penalty or regulation, which has come at the expense of domestic shrimpers, processors, restaurants, and consumers. Senator Cassidy's common-sense legislation will help put our domestic industry on a more level playing field, and I will work with him to move this bill forward for the benefit of Gulf Coast shrimpers and everyone who enjoy domestic shrimp," said Senator Hyde-Smith.

Background

Last week, during a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing, Cassidy secured a commitment from President Trump's Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury nominee Jonathan Greenstein to support Louisiana shrimp producers and oppose unfair trade practices hurting the state's seafood industry.

In February, Cassidy and a group of Republican colleagues introduced the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act to protect the Louisiana rice industry against dumping of cheap produce into U.S. markets from India and China.

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