“I am very pleased President Trump has recognized that domestic farmed production of aquaculture seafood is vital to help correct the severe trade imbalance and strengthen local food security”.
Last week SalmonBusiness reported that President Donald Trump had signed an executive order to “identify and remove unnecessary regulatory barriers restricting American fishermen and aquaculture producers”.
The move, which is directive issued by the president of the United States, as the coronavirus crisis has slowed down production at some of the U.S.A’s biggest meat plants.
“It is critical that America take steps to strengthen our seafood supply and bring our nation’s seafood supply chain back home,” wrote the White House.
Glenn Cooke, CEO of the Cooke family of companies, subsequently provided a statement after the news stressing the importance of “domestic farmed production of aquaculture seafood” which is “vital to help correct the severe trade imbalance and strengthen local food security”.
“This should be viewed as a call to State and local governments that the country is in dire need of domestically produced seafood protein and that they should find ways to support, promote, and expand this essential food sector as other countries have,” he said.
It is not yet known if this includes salmon farming. Growth of the U.S. sector has been constrained by strict environmental regulations. But Cooke was hopeful about the new plans.
“President Trump and his Executive Agencies are to be commended for their leadership to address the regulatory challenges with establishing seafood farms by revising the National Aquaculture Development Plan and implementing a Nationwide Permit authorizing finfish, seaweed or multi-trophic culture in federal marine waters,” he added.
