US Senators introduce India Shrimp Tariff Act to protect Louisiana's shrimp and catfish industries against cheap import

US Senators Bill Cassidy, and Cindy Hyde-Smith introduced the India Shrimp Tariff Act to protect Louisiana's shrimp and catfish industries against India's supply of cheap shrimp and produce into US 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.

The senators said that the bill creates a level playing field and protects the Louisiana seafood and the jobs associated with it, adding that Indian shrimp was "dumped" on the US market with minimal regulation.


"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 hill forward for the benefit of Gulf Coast shrimpers and everyone who enjoy domestic shrimp," said Senator Hyde-Smith.

During a US Senate Finance Committee hearing last week, Cassidy secured a commitment from President Donald 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. markers from India and China