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Committee endorses resolution urging HHS to ban imported seafood until better testing is in place
Summary
The House Natural Resources Committee reported HR 214 favorably after Representative Kerner said current imported seafood testing levels are insufficient and urged federal action to block imports until testing and inspections improve. The resolution is a formal request to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The House Natural Resources Committee on June 3 reported House Resolution 214 favorably after Representative Kerner told the panel the resolution urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ban imported seafood until sufficient testing and inspection protocols are in place.
Ms. Winkler read the resolution into the record. Representative Kerner described studies and concerns about antibiotics, E. coli and Salmonella in some imported seafood and said existing testing (which he said covers about 0.2% of shipments) is inadequate. "Sending resolutions like this may help because even in the shrimp, there's 0.2% of testing is just not enough," Kerner said.
Kerner acknowledged that a federal ban is unlikely, but said continued pressure through resolutions may lead to more testing and inspections. He moved the resolution favorably; no objections were recorded and the committee reported HR 214 favorable.
There was no public testimony recorded on the resolution in committee.
