Lafayette Reporter

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) are celebrating a win for U.S. catfish producers after the Biden administration’s Commerce Department reversed its plan to make it easier for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to flood U.S. catfish markets.

“Louisiana is one of the top catfish producing states in the country, and our farmers deserve a level playing field in the seafood market. I am glad to see the Biden administration walk back its plan to give foreign products the upper hand over American catfish,” said Kennedy.

Hyde-Smith echoed this sentiment, stating, “The Commerce Department actually heeded our warnings and the rescission of this review is a clear victory for the U.S. catfish industry, which is so important to Mississippi and other rural states. It’s also a victory for American consumers, who will not be put at risk from tainted imported catfish.”

The administration's decision to reverse its preliminary plan, as published in a notice in the Federal Register on March 14, came after pressure from Kennedy, Hyde-Smith, and their colleagues. The senators had urged the Commerce Department to reconsider its decision back in January, highlighting the importance of protecting the U.S. catfish industry from unfair competition.

In addition to Kennedy and Hyde-Smith, other senators who signed the letter urging the reversal of the preliminary decision included Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

The move to maintain antidumping duties for all producers that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam controls is seen as a significant win for American catfish producers and consumers alike, ensuring a fair market for U.S. catfish.