Safer Shrimp Imports Act

Summary

Requires the FDA to secure written arrangements with the governments of all countries that have registered facilities making, processing, packing, or holding shrimp for U.S. consumption, and denies entry to shrimp from countries that do not enter such arrangements or whose shrimp inspection systems are not equivalent to FDA’s. The bill expands the legal definition of adulterated food to include shrimp from noncompliant countries and requires annual reports to Congress on implementation.

• FDA must seek written arrangements with foreign governments whose registered facilities handle shrimp for U.S. consumption within 180 days.
• One year after enactment, shrimp from countries without an agreement or an equivalent inspection system will be refused entry to the U.S.
• Equivalence is judged specifically for shrimp and requires proof of staffing and enforcement that ensure uniform application of food-safety laws and oversight of shrimp production and transport.
• Shrimp from noncompliant countries are legally treated as adulterated under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
• Foreign governments must provide laws, regulations, and other documentation to demonstrate the equivalence of their inspection systems.
• FDA must report to two Congressional committees on implementation within one year and annually thereafter.
• The bill relies on existing statutory authority for foreign-government arrangements rather than creating new funding or grant programs.
• Primary impacts are on foreign exporters, U.S. importers and processors of shrimp, and FDA’s inspection and trade-enforcement activities.