Mark Pryor: “thank you for acknowledging me. I will be brief. I know we have other colleagues on the way, so I will be brief and I…”

“thank you for acknowledging me. I will be brief. I know we have other colleagues on the way, so I will be brief and I will yield when they get here and they are squared away. Catfish Inspection Mr. President, let me just talk for a few minutes about catfish and something that I think is very important; that is, that catfish be inspected. This may sound like a no-brainer, something that is simple. We certainly would inspect and anticipate that all catfish that are raised in the United States would be inspected and follow all the USDA and other requirements--and it is. That is one of the good things, that we know our food supply is safe and wholesome and it is ready for consumption by Americans. However, that is not the case for catfish that is imported from Asia. By the way, I think people in my State and other catfish-producing States would dispute whether this is actually catfish in the first place. It is actually a variety of fish that is native to Asia, and it is grown in places such as Vietnam. I am certainly for trade and for fair trade and not for protectionism. But we need to make sure fish that is coming in from overseas--we need to make sure it is properly labeled but also that it is properly inspected. I think the way the bill is currently drafted is appropriate and proper. We should leave the language that Senator Stabenow and the Agriculture Committee have established.…”