Seafood Industry Urges Swift Passage of Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act

A broad coalition of U.S. aquaculture, fishing, and seafood industry organizations, including Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Crawfish Advisory Committee, have submitted a letter to congressional leaders urging swift passage of the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act (H.R. 2715 / S. 3213).

The bipartisan legislation, championed by Representatives Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Troy Carter (D-LA) in the House and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) in the Senate, would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration clear authority to destroy imported food products — including seafood — that are refused entry due to significant public health risks.

With 94% of the seafood consumed in the United States imported, industry leaders say even a small share of unsafe product poses serious risk to American consumers. Current law allows rejected imports to be re-exported — a loophole critics say enables contaminated goods to re-enter U.S. commerce through “port-shopping.” The proposed legislation would close that loophole and strengthen deterrence against unsafe imports.

Below is the full text of the coalition’s letter to congressional committee leadership.