Groups ask OMB to finalize catfish rule
October 08, 2014 | 12:11 AM
Food & Water Watch, the Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention, the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumers League and the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union Tuesday urged the Office of Management and Budget to finalize the rule for the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to take over inspection of catfish from the Food and Drug Administration.
In a letter to OMB Director Shaun Donovan, the groups noted that the change was included in the 2008 farm bill and revised in the 2014 farm bill, and said that shifting the inspection from FDA to FSIS would allow FDA to concentrate on the inspection of other fish.
International trade advocates have said that the shift could cause duplication and raise questions about U.S. trade obligations, but the groups noted that the 2014 farm bill calls on FDA and USDA to write a memo of understanding avoiding duplication.
“In 2013, Americans consumed more than 305 million pounds of catfish, 78 percent of which was imported — mostly from Vietnam,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter.
“Americans want to be sure that the catfish they eat and feed their families is safe, yet bowing to pressure from importers and other nations, the Obama administration continues to hold up the implementation of this important rule,” Hauter said. “Enough is enough.”
▪ Letter to Office of Management and Budget
In a letter to OMB Director Shaun Donovan, the groups noted that the change was included in the 2008 farm bill and revised in the 2014 farm bill, and said that shifting the inspection from FDA to FSIS would allow FDA to concentrate on the inspection of other fish.
International trade advocates have said that the shift could cause duplication and raise questions about U.S. trade obligations, but the groups noted that the 2014 farm bill calls on FDA and USDA to write a memo of understanding avoiding duplication.
“In 2013, Americans consumed more than 305 million pounds of catfish, 78 percent of which was imported — mostly from Vietnam,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter.
“Americans want to be sure that the catfish they eat and feed their families is safe, yet bowing to pressure from importers and other nations, the Obama administration continues to hold up the implementation of this important rule,” Hauter said. “Enough is enough.”
▪ Letter to Office of Management and Budget
