“Like the House, the Senate agreed to exclude canned tuna from the ATPA. Like the House, the Senate also agreed to authorize the President with the authority to grant duty-free treatment for tuna pouches exported from the Andean countries,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “Although I continue to oppose duty-free treatment for tuna packed in any form, I am pleased that through a united effort we have been successful in protecting American Samoa’s canning operations.”

       “Canned tuna accounts for about 95% of tuna operations in American Samoa.  Pouch production accounts for less than 5% of our business.  This means that we have been successful in protecting the immediate interests of American Samoa but this also means that it is time for American Samoa to take a hard look at its economy and seriously consider news ways to diversify,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  

       “For more than a year, StarKist has pushed for duty-free treatment on all canned tuna and has opposed including rules of origin which would require tuna to be caught by Andean or U.S. fishing vessels.  For more than a year, American Samoa, Chicken of the Sea. Bumble Bee, and the U.S. boat owners have fought to exclude canned tuna and insisted on rules of origin.  After a year of hard-fought struggle, StarKist settled for pouches, we won rules of origin, and we were also successful in protecting all canned tuna products.”

       “Canned tuna will not enter the U.S. duty-free and I am pleased by this outcome.  I am also pleased that our differences with StarKist can now be resolved and I am hopeful that we can lay this matter to rest and move forward,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  As I stated in my previous release, I welcome Del Monte to our islands and I look forward to building more promising relations.”