Bill > HR2776

This bill seeks to enhance the safety of imported seafood by establishing rigorous new requirements for foreign seafood exporters. Under the proposed legislation, no seafood can be imported into the United States unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies that the exporting country maintains a program using reliable analytical methods to comply with U.S. seafood manufacturing, processing, and holding standards. The bill mandates annual inspections of foreign seafood facilities and requires that at least 20% of all imported seafood be tested each year, with new exporters facing even more stringent initial testing of their first 15 shipments. If an exporter fails an inspection, subsequent shipments will be intensively tested, and repeated failures can result in a one-year ban from importing seafood into the U.S. The bill also establishes procedures for handling seafood that fails to meet safety standards, including potential detention, destruction, or re-export, and imposes significant financial penalties (up to $250,000 per violation) for knowingly making false statements about seafood tests or inspections. Additionally, the bill creates a cooperative program allowing states to conduct seafood inspections in partnership with federal authorities, providing training and grants to state officials to support these efforts.

Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2776/all-info