Sarah Harper, Fishmongress at Quality Seafood Market, writes a monthly article for Live Oak Pharmacy on seafood as an essential part of whole body wellness.

There’s a lot of buzz lately about the proposed rule on catfish inspections. I thought I’d dedicate this blog post to summing up the debate for those of you who haven’t been following it on a daily basis. I encourage you to share your knowledge and opinions in the comments section.

On February 18th, the USDA published its much-anticipated rule on catfish inspection as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill. If adopted, the rule would require that the aquaculture, processing, and transportation of catfish and catfish products be inspected by the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) – much like beef and poultry. Catfish is currently subject to the regulatory capacity of the Food and Drug Administration (not the USDA). The rule would pertain to both imported and domestically-raised catfish, and it would attempt to regulate factors that affect consumer-safety such as the quality of water and feed. Under the new rule, all products bearing the name “catfish” would have to bear an FSIS (or similar foreign agency) seal of approval.

The crux of the debate surround the rule rests on issue of how to actually define “catfish.” The USDA has proposed to two definitions and asked for comments. The first would include all species in the family Ictaluridae – species that dominate the domestic catfish industry – and the second, broader definition would include species within the order Siluriformes, encompassing the three families Ictaluridae, Pangasiidae, and Clariidae – species that are favored by foreign catfish growers. If the USDA chooses the latter definition, it risks upsetting the Bilateral Free Trade Agreement with Vietnam, and if it adopts the former, it will upset the Catfish Farmers of America (CFA) who claim that foreign catfish farms – by and large – do not observe safe practices in aquaculture, thus allowing them to bring a cheaper product to market, at the expense of US consumers’ long-term health. A recent article published in Vietnam News cites ongoing survey efforts by two Vietnamese organizations – the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Fisheries Quality Assurance and Aquatic Resources Protection Department – that have made recommendations that Ho Chi Minh City’s rivers are too polluted for aquaculture.

Senator John McCain (R-Ariz) and Senator John Coburn (R-Okla), have taken aim at the new rule, proposing a bill that would annul the transfer of regulatory power over the catfish industry from the FDA to the USDA. Viewing the rule as “protectionist,” Sen. McCain claims Vietnamese catfish “are virtually indistinguishable from U.S. grown catfish.” Butch Wilson, the president of the CFA, responded to the senator’s claim: “It is stunning that Sen. McCain has chosen to protect importers and Vietnamese farmers over the health and safety of American citizens.” Mr. Wilson also noted that rule could not be considered protectionist if it applied to both domestic and imported catfish. He added that the USDA, which requires more frequent inspections, would have far more regulatory reach than the FDA, whose agency only inspects processing facilities on an annual or bi-annual basis.

The USDA is accepting comments on the rule through June 24, 2011. To submit a comment, visit www.regulations.gov (you must identify FSIS and docket number FSIS-2008-0031). You may also contact your senator regarding the proposed bill S.496.

The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest blogers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.

Live Oak Pharmacy, winner of Best New Local Business in the Reader’s Choice of the Austin Chronicle, is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare and that includes eating right! To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com