Southern Shrimp Alliance Agrees to End a Review of Empagran’s Shrimp Antidumping Duties
Washington, DC—The Southern Shrimp Alliance and Empagran, a shrimp producer and exporter in Ecuador, have negotiated a settlement agreement under which the antidumping duties applied to imported shrimp from Empagran will remain at 3.58% and will not be subject to an Administrative Review. The Southern Shrimp Alliance and Empagran issue the following joint statement:
“The Southern Shrimp Alliance and Empagran announce a settlement agreement intended to provide a safer, more secure shrimp market for American consumers. Empagran remains a competitor with the domestic shrimp industry for sales in the U.S. market and will continue to be subject to antidumping duties. Yet, we are pleased to agree upon the importance of reliable sources of unadulterated shrimp for this market. The cooperation of the Southern Shrimp Alliance and Empagran to work against the importation of shrimp contaminated by antibiotics and other banned substances and Empagran’s commitment to fully abide by U.S. trade laws is an important step in that direction.”
–John Williams, Executive Director, Southern Shrimp Alliance
–Jorge Bejarano, General Comptroller, Empagran
Agreement Highlights:
o The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) will withdraw its request for a recalculation of the antidumping duties applied to imports of warmwater shrimp from Empagran under the Administrative Review process. This action will remove litigation risks and reduce litigation costs for both parties. The antidumping duties imposed on imports of shrimp from Empagran between August 4, 2004 and January 31, 2006 will be final and subject to liquidation.
Empagran will remain subject to antidumping duties of 3.58% moving forward.
o The Southern Shrimp Alliance and Empagran will cooperate to increase the volume of testing by United States or foreign government authorities of exported and imported shrimp for banned antibiotics and other banned substances in the production of farm-raised shrimp. Both organizations will work together to enhance compliance with food safety laws and regulations to address the growing consumer concerns about illegal substances found in shipments of imported, farm-raised shrimp.
o Empagran commits to export shrimp to the United States that is free of banned antibiotics and other banned substances.
o Empagran also commits to take all reasonable measures to prevent the transshipment or mislabeling of its shrimp exports to the United States.
The Southern Shrimp Alliance represents shrimp fishermen and processors from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.
Empacadora Gran Mar SA (“Empagran”), an Ecuadorian corporation, is a leading producer and exporter of frozen shrimp in Ecuador.