On Wednesday, American Senator Bill Cassidy urged action from the US Trade Representative, alleging that shrimp imported from India is associated with forced labour practices and contains illegal antibiotics.
Cassidy's call for action comes in response to a whistleblower report from the Outlaw Ocean Project highlighting concerns about the safety of Indian shrimp imported into the US.
"Indian shrimp relies on forced labour and is pumped full of illegal antibiotics. The USTR needs to act to ensure American consumers are not put in harm's way," stated Senator Cassidy, who represents Louisiana in the US Senate.
Cassidy emphasised the significance of ensuring consumer safety, particularly in light of recent revelations regarding shrimp processing practices in India. He underscored his commitment to protecting Louisiana's shrimp industry, citing the introduction of two bills last year to address challenges posed by Indian shrimp imports.
The Prioritising Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act and the India Shrimp Tariff Act, introduced by Cassidy, are designed to safeguard the interests of Louisiana's agricultural sector.
The whistleblower report cited Joshua Farinella, an American who returned to the US after working for a company in Andhra Pradesh's Amalapuram, alleging various food safety and labour violations. Among these allegations is the claim that the company knowingly exported shrimp containing antibiotics to major American brands, in violation of federal law.
Choice Canning, the company implicated in the report, has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that it has never shipped shrimp containing antibiotics to the US. However, concerns raised by whistleblowers like Farinella underscore the importance of rigorous oversight and enforcement mechanisms to ensure the safety and integrity of imported seafood products.
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