Safer Shrimp Imports Act

The Safer Shrimp Imports Act would tighten U.S. oversight of imported shrimp by requiring foreign countries that have shrimp facilities registered with FDA to enter formal arrangements with the U.S. government and to meet FDA-like inspection standards. Beginning one year after enactment, shrimp from countries that do not participate in such arrangements or that cannot demonstrate an FDA-equivalent food inspection system would be refused admission into the United States. The bill also adds a new ground for determining adulteration of shrimp imported from noncompliant countries and requires annual reporting on the implementation of these provisions to Congress. In practical terms, the bill pushes foreign governments to adopt or demonstrate an inspection system that is at least as rigorous as FDA’s for shrimp, with specifics on staffing and enforcement of practices related to how shrimp is raised and transported. If a country or its food inspection system falls short, shrimp from that country could be barred from entering the U.S., subject to a formal demonstration process and ongoing congressional reporting.