The US Senate on February 4 gave final congressional approval to a five-year farm bill that is feared to hinder Vietnamese exports of tra and basa fish (scientifically named Pangasius).
Under the provision, the inspection of catfish, including Vietnamese tra and basa fish, will be moved out of the remit of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and into the Department of Agriculture.
Accordingly, it is a must for Vietnamese catfish exported to the US market to fulfill all requirements set for local products from production to packaging and exporting.
However, Senator John McCain called the provision, which was proposed by the US Catfish Association and southern lawmakers, a trade barrier that aims to protect the interests of US catfish breeders.
Along with catfish, the bill also requires beef, lamb and poultry producers, among others, to stamp their products with the country of origin.
The Congressional Budget Office says the 956 billion USD legislation will save 16.6 billion USD over 10 years compared to current funding. Using a different scoring, congressional leaders put the saving at 23 billion USD.
About 8 billion USD in saving over 10 years comes from cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme, commonly known as food stamps, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of the bill’s spending. The programme provides funds to about 47 million low-income people to buy food.
The Senate voted 68-32 to pass the sweeping bill, which was also passed by the House of Representatives with 217 votes in favour and 210 against. The White House said President Barack Obama would sign the bill.-VNA
Under the provision, the inspection of catfish, including Vietnamese tra and basa fish, will be moved out of the remit of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and into the Department of Agriculture.
Accordingly, it is a must for Vietnamese catfish exported to the US market to fulfill all requirements set for local products from production to packaging and exporting.
However, Senator John McCain called the provision, which was proposed by the US Catfish Association and southern lawmakers, a trade barrier that aims to protect the interests of US catfish breeders.
Along with catfish, the bill also requires beef, lamb and poultry producers, among others, to stamp their products with the country of origin.
The Congressional Budget Office says the 956 billion USD legislation will save 16.6 billion USD over 10 years compared to current funding. Using a different scoring, congressional leaders put the saving at 23 billion USD.
About 8 billion USD in saving over 10 years comes from cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme, commonly known as food stamps, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of the bill’s spending. The programme provides funds to about 47 million low-income people to buy food.
The Senate voted 68-32 to pass the sweeping bill, which was also passed by the House of Representatives with 217 votes in favour and 210 against. The White House said President Barack Obama would sign the bill.-VNA
