Both of Alabama’s U.S. Senators warned the Biden administration of the disastrous economic outlook for U.S. catfish farmers and processers if it adopts a preliminary decision to reduce its responsibility over imported catfish from Vietnam.
In a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the Senators said the administration should reverse a move – which they point out – abandons decades of precedent that set a level playing field for the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry.
“Alabama is the number two state in American catfish production, raising one-third of the world’s catfish,” Sen. Tuberville said. “As a former catfish restaurant owner, I know firsthand how critical catfish are to our economy. It is important that we put our American catfish farmers first. That’s why I’m proud to join this effort.”
Greensboro, Alabama catfish farmer Townsend Kyser, thanked Tuberville for standing up to Biden, saying the Senator, “has always been a great advocate for agriculture not only for our state but this country as well.”
Alabama is ranked 2nd nationally in farm-raised catfish production behind its western neighbor, Mississippi. Alabama is home to approximately 66 farm-raised catfish farms, creating nearly $92 million in economic value to the state.
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“Nearly 33% of all catfish produced in the United States comes from right here in sweet home Alabama. Catfish is a vital part of our state’s economy, and I will always support our hardworking farmers and processors,” said Senator Britt.
“President Biden needs to realize that food security is national security, and his America Last policies are endangering our country’s future.”
Under the preliminary decision pertaining to Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the non-market economy (NME) anti-dumping duty could be reduced from $2.39/kg to $0.14/kg for all producers controlled by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).
According to the Senators, if the Biden administration’s decision is not corrected, cheap Vietnamese catfish imports will be allowed to flood the U.S. market — putting catfish farmers and processors out of business.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
