BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) -- U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) have introduced the India Shrimp Tariff Act, aimed at protecting Louisiana’s shrimp and catfish industries from unfair competition.

The bill targets India’s practice of dumping cheap shrimp and other products into U.S. markets, which lawmakers say hurts local fishermen, farmers, and restaurants.

“People come from all over to try Louisiana gumbo, jambalaya, and shrimp and grits. That’s because our shrimpers and catfish farmers meet high standards,” Cassidy said. “By leveling the playing field, this bill protects Louisiana seafood and the jobs that depend on it.”

Hyde-Smith said imported Indian shrimp has long undercut U.S. producers with little penalty or regulation.

“This legislation will help put our domestic industry on a more level playing field,” she said.

The proposal comes just a week after Cassidy pressed a Senate Finance Committee nominee to support Louisiana shrimp producers and oppose unfair trade practices. Earlier this year, Cassidy also backed a separate bill to protect Louisiana’s rice industry from cheap imports from India and China.

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