Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has urged the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to take action against what he claims are alarming practices surrounding shrimp imported from India. The senator’s request, made on Wednesday, comes in response to a whistleblower report released by the Outlaw Ocean Project, which raises concerns about the use of forced labor and illegal antibiotics in Indian shrimp production destined for the U.S. market.

Allegations of Forced Labor and Illegal Antibiotics

Cassidy’s plea to the USTR emphasizes the purported reliance on forced labor and the presence of illegal antibiotics in Indian shrimp imports. He asserts that such practices pose a significant risk to American consumers and demands action to safeguard their well-being.

The Outlaw Ocean Project’s whistleblower report sheds light on alleged abuses within the shrimp processing industry in India, particularly highlighting the operations of Choice Canning Company. Senator Cassidy points to this report as evidence supporting his stance against the inclusion of Indian shrimp in the U.S. market, arguing that such products do not meet the standards set by American producers.

Legislative Efforts to Protect American Shrimp Industry

Senator Cassidy’s advocacy for the protection of the Louisiana agricultural industry extends beyond mere rhetoric. Last year, he introduced two bills aimed at shielding Louisiana’s shrimp sector from competition posed by Indian imports. The Prioritising Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act and the India Shrimp Tariff Act are legislative measures crafted to safeguard the interests of American shrimp producers.

The report cited by Senator Cassidy includes allegations made by Joshua Farinella, an American who formerly worked for a company in Andhra Pradesh, India. Farinella alleges various food safety and labor violations, including the illegal export of shrimp containing antibiotics to major American brands. Choice Canning Company, implicated in these allegations, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, particularly refuting claims of shipping shrimp tainted with antibiotics to the U.S.