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SENATOR COLLINS WORKS TO HELP CLAMMERS AND OYSTERMEN HURT BY RED TIDE OUTBREAK

Washington, DC - Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is an original cosponsor of legislation that would provide immediate relief to oyster and mussel aquaculture producers whose businesses are suffering from the out break of red tide in Maine this year. The Red Tide Emergency Relief Act addresses the problem of shellfish aquaculture producers currently not being eligible for federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This is because under current law, oyster and mussel aquaculture producers are only eligible for loans from the Department of Agriculture. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) is the chief sponsor of the bill.

"It is illogical that oyster and mussel aquaculture producers who are also suffering economically from the red tide outbreak are not eligible for the same disaster aid that is being made available to other small businesses in the shellfish industry, particularly since it is the shellfish aquaculture producers who are being hard hit this year," said Senator Collins. "Red tide is not selective about who it effects - the entire shellfish industry is being hurt. Thousands of small businesses, from clammers and oystermen to restaurants, processing plants, and shipping companies, are estimated to lose more than three million dollars per week. This legislation ensures that they are all eligible for the same small business disaster loans."

The Snowe-Collins Red Tide Emergency Relief Act was introduced in the Senate today. If approved, the measure would take effect immediately.

"This is important, to get all producers the help they need as quickly as possible," said Senator Collins.

Senator Collins announced last week that in response to a request she made with other Maine Congressional members, the SBA is offering disaster loans to small businesses in Maine that have been hurt economically because of red tide. Senator Collins also met earlier this month with U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to discuss the threat to Maine's shellfish industry and economy caused by red tide, and to appeal for aid from that agency. Following the meeting, the Secretary declared that Maine's shellfish industry is in a state of economic emergency caused by red tide, which opens the door to separate federal funding to assist businesses that are adversely affected.

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