U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
Hearing on “Chinese Seafood: Safety and Trade Issues”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Kathy Michels (202) 624-1409
April 15, 2008 kmichels@uscc.gov
Web site: www.uscc.gov Nick Barone (202) 624-1484
nbarone@uscc.gov
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday and Friday, April 24 -25, 2008 on “Chinese Seafood: Safety and Trade Issues.” The hearing will be held at the Pan American Conference and Media Center in the Orleans Room, 11th Floor, of the Pan American Building, located at 601 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130.
This hearing will examine how the increased importation of Chinese seafood by the United States has affected American consumers and the U.S. Gulf Coast seafood industry. The hearing will consider the health and safety risks associated with Chinese seafood imports and the economic impacts on the U.S. fishing industry of those imports. The hearing will also focus on how such factors affect U.S. companies, investors, and workers.
On April 24, the Commission will receive testimony from witnesses including Mr. Donald W. Kraemer, Deputy Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Food Safety; Mr. Spencer Garrett, Director of the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Mr. Matt Fass, President, Maritime Products International; and representatives of the U.S. fishing industry and consumer and environmental groups. An open microphone session for public comment will be held from 3:15 to 3:45 pm. Interested parties may register beginning at 8:30 am in the hearing room to reserve a time to speak.
On April 25, the Commission will receive testimony from Senator David Vitter, members of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and representatives of U.S. seafood industries. Other expert witnesses from the industry and from academia also will testify.
Hearing Co Chairs: Vice-Chairman Carolyn Bartholomew and Commissioner Daniel Slane
What: Public Hearing on “Chinese Seafood: Safety and Trade Issues”
When: Thursday, April 24, 2008, 9:00am. – 3:45pm. and Friday, April 25, 2008, 8:30am. – 1:30pm
Where: Orleans Room, 11th Floor, Pan American Bldg., Pan American Conference and Media
Center, 601 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130.
A full agenda is attached. Panelists’ bios and written statements will be available on the Commission’s Web Site at www.uscc.gov on Thursday, April 24, 2008
Reservations are not required to attend – seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visit the USCC website, www.uscc.gov, for transcripts of previous hearings, commissioned research reports, the Commission’s annual reports to the Congress, and other information about the Commission’s activities.
Hearing on Chinese Seafood: Safety and Trade Issues
April 24-25, 2008
Pan American Conference and Media Center
Orleans Room – 11th Floor – Pan American Building
601 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Hearing Co chairs: Vice Chairman Carolyn Bartholomew and Commissioner Daniel Slane
As of April 15, 2008 – This agenda is subject to change – as changes occur a revised agenda will be posted to the Commission’s Web Site www.uscc.gov
Day One: Thursday, April 24, 2008
Health and Safety Issues Concerning Imported Chinese Seafood
9:00 am – 10:30 am Panel I: Government Perspectives on Health/Safety of Seafood Imported from China
- Mr. Donald W. Kraemer, Deputy Director, Office of Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, Washington, DC
- Mr. Spencer Garrett, Director, NOAA National Seafood Inspection Laboratory, Pascagoula, MS
10:45 am – 12:15 pm Panel II: Experts’ Perspectives on Health/Safety of Seafood Imported from China
- Ms. Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives, Consumer Union, Yonkers, NY
- Mr. Patrick Woodall, Policy Analyst, Food and Water Watch, Washington, DC
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm Lunch Break
1:15 pm – 3:00 pm Panel III: Seafood Industry’s Perspectives on Health/Safety of Seafood Imported from China
- Ms. Kim Chauvin, Owner, Mariah Jade Shrimp Company, Chauvin, LA
- Mr. Matt Fass, President, Maritime Products International, Newport News, VA
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Panel IV: Public Comment Period – Open Microphone
5 minutes per participant
[Continued on next page]
Day Two: Friday, April 25, 2008
Perspectives of Federal, State, and Local Elected Officials on Health/Safety and Economic Implications of Chinese Seafood Imports for the United States
8:30 am – 10:00 am Panel V: Views and Plans of Government Officials
- Mr. Harlon H. Pearce, Jr., Chairman, Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries, New Orleans, LA
- Senator David Vitter, LA (R)
Effects of Chinese Seafood Imports on the Louisiana and U.S. Economies
10:15 am – 11:45 am Panel VI: The Effects of China’s Competition, Pricing, and Delivery Capability on the U.S. Seafood Industry
- Mr. Steven Minvielle, Crawfish Farmer and Member of Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association, New Iberia, LA
- Mr. John Williams, President, Southern Shrimp Alliance, Tarpon Springs, FL
- Dr. Carole Engle, director, Aquaculture Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR
12:00 pm—1:30 pm Panel VII: China’s Adherence to Multilateral and Bilateral Trade Agreements in Supplying Seafood to the U.S. Market. Case Study.
- Dr. Walter Keithly, Professor, Center for Natural Resource Economics and Policy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
- Mr. Schuyler Porche, Doctoral Student, Louisiana State University, Dept. of Political Science, Baton Rouge, LA