H.R. 3324: Safer Shrimp Imports Act

The Safer Shrimp Imports Act aims to enhance the safety and inspection standards for shrimp imported into the United States from foreign countries. Here is a breakdown of the key components of the bill:

Inspection of Foreign Shrimp Facilities

The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to seek agreements with foreign governments that operate facilities for manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding shrimp intended for consumption in the United States. This must be done within 180 days after the bill's enactment.

Admission Refusal Criteria

Starting one year after the bill becomes law, shrimp imported from any foreign country will be refused entry into the U.S. if:

• The foreign government has not made an arrangement or agreement with the Secretary regarding shrimp inspection.
• The food inspection system of the foreign country does not meet specific criteria equivalent to those of the FDA's inspection system.

Criteria for Food Inspection Systems

The criteria for a foreign country's food inspection system include:

• Uniform enforcement of applicable laws and regulations.
• Enforcement of laws that address the conditions under which shrimp are raised and transported to processing facilities.

Demonstration Requirements

Foreign governments wishing to prove that their food inspection systems meet the required criteria must provide the Secretary with documentation, including:

• Copies of all laws and regulations related to their food inspection systems.

Adulteration Definitions

The bill also specifies that shrimp imported from countries with non-compliant inspection systems will be considered adulterated, thus violating U.S. food safety laws.

Reporting Obligations

Finally, within one year of the bill's enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to the relevant Senate and House committees detailing the implementation of these amendments and providing annual updates thereafter.

Relevant Companies

• TSN (Tyson Foods, Inc.): This company could be affected as it is involved in shrimp processing and might need to adjust its supply chains based on new international inspection requirements.
• CPB (Campbell Soup Company): As a consumer goods company that might source shrimp for its products, it may face impacts based on the sourcing regulations outlined in this bill.