Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chair, I rise on behalf of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. MacArthur).

Prior to 2008, squid, octopus, and cuttlefish exports were permitted exclusively by the FDA as fish intended for human consumption. In 2008, the Fish and Wildlife Service also began regulating these species as protected species even though they are not. This allows them to charge excessive fees to seafood processors and to delay perishable shipments.

This amendment will prohibit funding from going to the Fish and Wildlife Service to inspect squid, octopus, and cuttlefish. The FDA will still regulate these products for food safety, as they do other fishery products that are meant to be consumed as food. It is a simple amendment.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. I believe these are fresh products.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chair, these harmless seafood products are treated as if they were listed under the Endangered Species Act or listed as injurious under the Lacey Act or in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which these products are not. They are being regulated by both the Fish and Wildlife and the FDA, and they will still be regulated under the FDA.

I encourage a positive vote on this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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