USDA approves trade help for Louisiana shrimpers

USDA approves trade help for Louisiana shrimpers The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has approved a petition for trade adjustment assistance from the Louisiana Shrimp Association, based in Grand Isle, La.
   The certification date is Jan. 10, 2005. Starting this date, shrimpers who land their catch in Louisiana are eligible to apply for fiscal 2005 benefits during an application period ending April 11, 2005.
   An agency investigation determined that increased imports of farmed shrimp contributed significantly to a decline in the landed prices of shrimp in Louisiana by 27.5 percent during January-December 2003, when compared to the previous five-year average.
   In addition, the USDA re-certified a trade adjustment assistance petition from the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama on behalf of that state’s shrimpers. The re-certification becomes effective Jan. 10, 2005, and Alabama shrimpers may apply for fiscal 2005 benefits through April 11, 2005.
   An agency investigation found that imports of farmed shrimp contributed significantly to a decline in the average landed price of shrimp in Alabama by 23.4 percent during the 2003 marketing period (January-December), compared to the 1997-2001 base period.
   Benefits include technical assistance from the USDA’s Extension Service at no cost and possible “adjustment assistance payments.”