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U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation | |
For Immediate Release April 24th, 2008 |
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COMMERCE COMMITTEE REPORTS INOUYE-STEVENS COMMERCIAL SEAFOOD PROTECTION ACT
Measure Creates Better System for Importing Safe Seafood |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee unanimously reported today S. 2688, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. The bill, introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) would establish a federal program to ensure that seafood distributed commercially in the United States is fit for consumption.
“Seafood safety is important to all Americans, but particularly important to the citizens of Hawaii,” said Senator Inouye. “As we saw from the recent recall of 11,000 pounds of frozen Indonesian ahi tuna on Oahu due to a salmonella outbreak, the current system is working but must be strengthened to ensure that contaminated seafood is intercepted before ever reaching consumers.”
Senator Inouye continued, “A loss of confidence in the quality of the fish and shellfish we consume in Hawaii and across this nation would be devastating to many industries. It is essential that Americans have faith in the safety and quality of the seafood they consume.”
As reported by the Senate, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act would:
Inspect foreign facilities Provide technical assistance and training to foreign facilities and governments Expedite seafood imports from countries with consistently high standards Generate a shipment tracking system Create labeling requirements Commission National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officers and employees to examine seafood Share information concerning non-compliance and new regulations Conduct joint training on subjects related to seafood inspection
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