USDA re-certifies trade help petitions for N.C., Texas shrimpers

USDA re-certifies trade help petitions for N.C., Texas shrimpers    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has re-certified trade adjustment assistance petitions filed by shrimpers in North Carolina and Texas.
   The North Carolina Fisheries Association filed its petition on behalf of its state shrimpers April 5. An agency investigation confirmed that continued increases in imports of shrimp contributed importantly to a decline in the average landed price of shrimp in North Carolina by 26.6 percent during the 2003 marketing period (January-December 2003), compared to the 1997-2001 base period.
   The Texas Shrimp Association filed its petition to the agency on behalf of its state shrimpers Nov. 19, 2003. An agency investigation found that increases in imports contributed importantly to a decline in the average landed price of shrimp in Texas by 33.7 percent during the 2003 marketing period, compared to the 1997-2001 base period.
   Shrimpers who land their catch in either North Carolina or Texas are eligible to apply for fiscal year 2005 benefits during a 90-day period, that started Tuesday and ends Feb. 28. These benefits range from free advice from the USDA Extension Service to financial payments in some cases.