The federal government will buy $30 million worth of domestic shrimp to distribute as part of its emergency food assistance efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.
Lawmakers say the action will also benefit Louisiana’s shrimp industry as fishermen struggle with decreased sales amid restaurant closures states have enacted to slow the coronavirus’s spread.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the purchase this week under a law that allows it to provide food assistance to states and food banks nationwide during emergencies.
“This is great news for the U.S. shrimp industry, including Louisiana shrimpers, who tirelessly work to provide their delicious, world-class product,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, whose district includes southern Terrebonne and Lafourche, home to many shrimp fishermen and processors. “This program will support our shrimpers who have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while providing U.S. shrimp proudly produced in Louisiana and the entire Gulf Coast to the families who need it most.”
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., also praised the action.
“Louisiana shrimpers and their families produce the best seafood in the world,” he said. “Season after season, Louisiana shrimpers have faithfully put food on the table for millions of Americans, and I admire their hard work and dedication during this crisis. The USDA’s decision is a win-win for Louisiana shrimpers and Americans who need a little help to persevere through hard times.”
It is the USDA’s second major purchase of shrimp during the pandemic. The agency agreed in April to buy 20 million pounds of Gulf Coast shrimp at the urging of U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, and others.
Louisiana fishermen and others in the industry will receive $14.8 million in direct federal aid to address economic losses as part of the CARES Act Congress passed in March. Graves denounced the amount as far too small, adding that only 4.9 percent of the available money was provided to Louisiana despite being one of the top fisheries states in the nation. He and other Louisiana officials vowed to fight for more aid for the state’s fishing industry in future relief bills.
Louisiana shrimp had a total dock value of $117 million last year, second only to Texas, with $150.8 million, according to the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
The shrimp industry accounts for 15,000 jobs and an annual impact of $1.3 billion in the state, according to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.
– Executive Editor Keith Magill can be reached at 857-2201 or keith.magill@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @CourierEditor.
The Link LonkAugust 06, 2020 at 11:23PM
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Officials say feds’ purchase of shrimp to help Louisiana fishermen - Houma Courier
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