Trade dispute with U.S. looms over small shellfish

Trade dispute with U.S. looms over small shellfish    The Southern Shrimp Alliance, representing shrimpers and processors in eight Gulf and East coast states, filed a petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission on Dec. 31 requesting the agency initiate an antidumping investigation of frozen and canned shrimp from Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Thailand and Vietnam. The U.S. could impose sanctions on the imports if it finds unfair trade practices exist.
   The group says its members are being forced out of business by artificially low prices on imported shrimp. Between 2000 and 2002, shrimp imports increased 17 percent and import prices dropped 29%, according to the group's web site.