Graves Working to Help Louisiana Seafood Industries Weather the Storm of High Fuel Prices and Unfair Trade Practices

BATON ROUGE, LA - Louisiana's shrimpers and crawfishers are struggling to stay afloat amidst record high energy costs, inflation, a crumbling supply chain, workforce shortages, and the disaster recovery process. U.S. Congressman Garret Graves is putting pressure on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase Louisiana shrimp and crawfish for its food aid programs. Louisiana's seafood industry is the second-largest seafood supplier in the country and the economic engine of many areas along our coast.

"Buying Louisiana seafood is a win-win-win-win for the USDA's nutrition programs. They get quality protein, great prices, amazing food and it helps our struggling fishermen compete. Louisiana's seafood industry has faced a tough few years and they need help to bounce back. Some are rebuilding businesses and homes after Hurricane Ida, some are having a tough time paying for the gas they need for their cars and boats, and meanwhile, the entire industry is consistently undercut by low-cost foreign imports and unfair trade practices which utilize questionable labor and foreign government subsidies. The least USDA can do is to provide our incredible Louisiana seafood to folks across the country and world who are in need of nutritional assistance," Graves said.

Graves recently sent a letter to USDA requesting the agency purchase Gulf Shrimp. He also recently proposed an amendment to next year's government funding bill requiring the department to make the purchase.

Last year, Graves secured a purchase from USDA of up to $25 million of Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Wild-Caught Shrimp to address the disruptions in the food system supply chain and food insecurity. Graves is asking USDA, through the amendment, to replicate that purchase, and include wild-caught crawfish in its purchase.

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