In the Press...
IntraFish article on new Smith bill'Lawmaker moves to ban Chinese seafood from Congressional dining facilities''The bill asserts that "forced labor is pervasive in fishing, seafood harvesting, aquaculture, and seafood processing supply chains in the People's Republic of China."'By Rachel Spain A U.S. House Republican is pushing new legislation that would bar Chinese seafood from congressional dining facilities, citing forced labor concerns and a lack of traceability in the country’s supply chains. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey on Aug. 27 introduced the “No PRC Seafood in Congress Act,” a bill that would prohibit any Chinese seafood product from being procured, served, or sold in cafeterias and restaurants across the U.S. Capitol complex. The measure was referred to the Committee on House Administration. The bill asserts that “forced labor is pervasive in fishing, seafood harvesting, aquaculture, and seafood processing supply chains in the People’s Republic of China,” and argues that poor transparency makes it “impracticable” to verify that seafood from China is free of forced labor. Under the proposal, congressional dining facilities would be required to stop sourcing Chinese seafood entirely. Within 180 days of enactment, covered entities — including the House Administration Committee, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Architect of the Capitol — must issue regulations to implement the ban.
Suppliers would also face new documentation requirements. Any vendor providing seafood to congressional dining facilities would need to “certify each and every country in which the seafood contained in such product was fished, harvested, raised, produced, or processed,” and maintain records to substantiate those claims. The bill defines a “Chinese seafood product” as any seafood intended for human consumption that is fished, harvested, raised, produced, or processed — in whole or in part — in China, or caught by vessels owned, operated, or registered in the People’s Republic of China. The definition includes Hong Kong and Macau but excludes Taiwan. Seafood covered under the act spans fish, shellfish, processed seafood, and any food in which marine or aquatic animal life is a characterizing ingredient. |
