NOAA DECIDES NOT TO PRIVATIZE SEAFOOD INSPECTION SYSTEM

WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency that currently provides safety inspection services to American seafood companies that export abroad, has announced that it has decided against its recent proposal to privatize some of these inspection services. Earlier this spring, Senator Collins contacted NOAA, advising the agency against such a change saying that it could result in lost sales and jobs in an important US industry.

"I am pleased and relieved that NOAA has decided against privatizing its seafood inspection services. It is imperative that Maine's seafood industry has the ability to remain competitive in international markets. In this particular industry, privatization would have jeopardized this competition, " said Senator Collins.

At issue are voluntarily seafood inspection services of fishery products that are exported by American producers. Many foreign nations, including European Union (EU) nations, rely on the US Seafood Inspection Service (SIP), which is operated by NOAA, to certify imported seafood. While the EU accepts SIP certifications reluctantly, many American seafood industry companies, including some in Maine, have expressed concern that if these services are privatized, the EU could choose to refuse to allow the importation of many American seafood products.

In an April 8 letter to Vice Adm. Conrad Lautenbacher, Jr, a NOAA official, Senator Collins explained that fishery industry members are concerned that, should government inspectors be replaced with commercial vendors, confidence in the SIP's certification will be greatly diminished and consumer demand for US seafood products dampened.

"The Maine fishery industry produces some of the finest, high quality seafood in the world. We must not do anything to impede their ability to compete in foreign markets," added Senator Collins.