FDAImports.com and ExportToUsa.com.cn attended the Boston Seafood Show this year on Mar.16-18. The team took the opportunity to speak with seafood producers from around the world, who think 2014 will be a harvest year. US importers at the show expressed the desire to import seafood especially from China and India – as long as these products are in compliance with FDA rules and regulations.
However, many foreign processors are concerned about the recently-passed “Farm Bill,” which transferred jurisdiction over catfish, pangasius, swai, tra, and basa from FDA to USDA, contingent on USDA’s drafting regulations within 60 days. Even if USDA meets this deadline, the attorneys at FDAImports.com do not think USDA will enact the rule for at least 5 years, during which time FDA will still have jurisdiction.
During the show, Benjamin England, Founder and CEO of FDAImports participated in a panel discussion on “Seafood Safety and Compliance with NOAA Fisheries, FDA, and U.S. Customs.” He spoke about the recent new application of Import Alert 99-30 to breaded shrimp, discussing FDAImports.com’s efforts to challenge FDA on this change. Captain Domenic Veneziano, Director of FDA’s Division of Import Operations, acknowledged that the FDA district responsible for the detention had been wrong, and had been instructed to release the shipments. The FDAImports.com team has not seen a recurrence of this problem.
Mr. England also addressed seafood processors and importers, warning them to pay close attention to FDA’s implementation of FSMA. The exemptions in FSMA for those companies in compliance with HACCP will likely soon be replaced. Mr. England predicted that FDA was already developing proposed regulations to significantly increase the importer affirmations provision in seafood HACCP – to match the requirements in FSVP. Captain Veneziano affirmed Mr. England’s insight, confirming that FDA is already discussion changes to seafood HACCP regulations to bring them in line with FSVP.
To learn more about the Farm Bill, FDA Import Alerts 99-30 and 16-131, and how these changes will affect your business, contact us today.
