Louisiana House Bill HCR60

Louisiana 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/7/20
• Refer: 5/13/20
• Report Pass: 5/20/20
• Engrossed: 5/25/20
• Report Pass: 5/26/20
• Passed: 5/29/20

Caption

Memorializes Congress to appropriate additional money for increased seafood testing

Impact

If HCR60 is acted upon, it could lead to increased food safety measures and more significant regulation of imported seafood. This would enforce stricter compliance with safety regulations, ensuring that every lot of imported seafood possesses a full laboratory certificate. The aim is to elevate the level of food safety for American consumers and mitigate health risks associated with consuming improperly inspected seafood.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 60 (HCR60) calls on Congress to appropriate additional funds for increasing inspections of foreign seafood processors and farms that export seafood to the United States. The resolution cites a 2017 Government Accountability Office study that found very limited inspections performed on foreign seafood sources. HCR60 highlights concerns about the use of antibiotics and chemicals in aquaculture, which could jeopardize the health of consumers and create an uneven playing field for American seafood producers due to differing standards of safety and inspection.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR60 appears to be largely supportive among Louisiana legislators, as it seeks to address vital issues of consumer health and local agricultural fairness. The resolution has garnered unanimous backing in the Senate with a vote of 34-0, indicating a strong consensus on the importance of stricter seafood inspection policies from both political parties.

Contention

There might be opposition from stakeholders who could argue about the potential burdens on fisheries and increased costs for importers. However, proponents of the bill would likely counter that these measures are necessary to protect public health, sustain local seafood industries, and ensure that American seafood aligns with the food safety standards that foreign seafood should also meet. Overall, HCR60 represents a proactive stance to safeguard public health against the risks posed by insufficiently monitored foreign seafood practices.