by Jordan Blum/jblum@theadvocate.com
The Louisiana shrimp industry was dealt a blow after the U.S. International Trade Commission voted against increased duties on foreign frozen shrimp imported into the country from several nations.
Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne (left-right) meets with members of the Louisiana Seafood Board, Frank Randol, Sal Sunsuri and Chef John Folse. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
In a divided 2-4 vote, the commission ruled that Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industry failed to present a strong enough case that the Gulf shrimp industry was unfairly suffering from cheap frozen shrimp coming in from China, Vietnam, Ecuador, India and Malaysia. The vote was one shy of victory for the Gulf shrimp industry because a tie vote legally sides with domestic industry.
The overall argument presented during debate last month by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and others is that the lower costing frozen shrimp from foreign nations competes unfairly against Louisiana and Mississippi shrimpers.
Dardenne, whose office now includes the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, said he was “surprised” by the vote and called it a “huge blow to the industry.”
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