In early January, snow is falling on Joey Lowerys Newport, Ark., catfish ponds and the forecast says more is coming.
“Its cold and supposed to be getting even colder, says the president of Catfish Farmers of America. Everything has been business as usual during the holiday season. Producers are trying to market whatever crop is left in their ponds.
Theyre also awaiting a decision from the Obama administration on how vigorous inspection of imported seafood will be in the future. Many, like Lowery, believe a stepped-up inspection regime is vitally important for U.S. consumers. They insist the issue isnt one of preventing Asian imports to the benefit of U.S. catfish producers but of protecting Americans.
Lowery points to the fact that in 2009, over 5 billion pounds of seafood were imported into the United States. Tasked with inspecting seafood imports, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) checked only 2 percent of those billions.
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