January 3, 2013

Gulf of Mexico shrimpers petition over shrimp imports

Shrimpers of the Gulf of Mexico have petitioned to the US federal government, requesting for relief from subsidised shrimp imports.

The move came several weeks after Gulf of Mexico shrimpers hailed a House bill that included a provision to increase US Customs and Border Protection's powers to combat illegal imports.

The Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industries filed the petitions, which seek "countervailing duties" - duties imposed to offset subsidies by foreign governments - on shrimp from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The coalition states that the duties are needed "to offset the unfair trade advantage currently held by these countries."

The petitions will be investigated by the US. International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce, with final determinations expected in the second half of 2013.

Before 2009, the Gulf has seen massive declines to its domestic shrimp industry with annual catch falling from 322 million pounds in 2000 to 212 million pounds in 2008. Meanwhile, the price per pound dropped from US$2.78 in 2000 to US$1.66 in 2008, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service-commissioned research.

The petitions document more than one hundred programmes benefiting shrimp producers in seven countries, including numerous export subsidies.

The House bill filed earlier this month in part is working to combat illegal shrimp imports and the circumvention of anti-dumping duties by foreign shrimp importers.