Higgins Requests Relief for Louisiana Crawfish Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Troy Miller requesting the remaining antidumping duties that were established under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA) be distributed to the Louisiana crawfish industry.

"The crawfish industry is a vital part of Louisiana's economy and culture. According to an LSU Ag Center study, the Louisiana crawfish industry is valued at over $517 million," writes Congressman Higgins. 

The letter emphasizes the harm that foreign seafood dumping has brought to the crawfish industry "Abusive dumping practices by China have caused significant harm to our producers, and the restitution owed to them is direly needed. Concerningly, CBP, between the years 2000 and 2014, did not distribute all anti-dumping duties received from Chinese imports." Below is Higgins' letter: Commissioner Miller, It has come to my attention that the U.S. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has yet to distribute the remaining anti-dumping duties to numerous U.S. industries as mandated by the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA). 

Specifically, Louisiana crawfish producers are owed a significant amount, roughly $10-13 million, but the distribution of these much needed funds has been delayed. 

The crawfish industry is a vital part of Louisiana's economy and culture. According to an LSU Ag Center study, the Louisiana crawfish industry is valued at over $517 million. Abusive dumping practices by China have caused significant harm to our producers, and the restitution owed to them is direly needed. Concerning, CBP, between the years 2000 and 2014, did not distribute all anti-dumping duties received from Chinese imports. A remaining $10.6 million, calculated to account for interest, has been delayed due to several administrative issues, resulting in harm to the crawfish industry. 

I respectfully request a response from CBP regarding the following: 1. Why have the appropriate payments not been made to the crawfish industry in Louisiana as per the CDSOA? 

2. When can we expect the completion of these payments? 

3. What other actions is CBP taking to counter the current dumping of crawfish and other foreign seafood into the United States? 

I look forward to working with you to address this matter and ensure Louisiana's crawfish industry receives the support it was promised. Thank you for your attention to these issues. 

Respectfully, Clay Higgins Chairman Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Committee on Homeland Security