District 22 Congressman Pete Olson today joined with several of his House Colleagues that represent districts along the Gulf Coast in signing a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider their proposed mandatory regulations on Gulf Coast oysters.
These new regulations would directly impact the Gulf Coast oyster industry and indirectly the thousands of restaurants and retailers that provide fresh oysters to the public.
The FDA’s newly proposed regulations would require all oysters harvested out of the Gulf to be subjected to rigorous post-harvest processing to prevent Vibrio vulnificus (V.v) infections. This mandatory process would begin in 2011 and would effectively ban the sale of any fresh, live oyster from the Gulf Coast during warm-weather months that have not been processed to FDA standards.
“Unfortunately, these proposed regulations by the FDA are yet another example of the federal government creating an undue, job killing burden on the private sector,” said Olson. “These new regulations would hurt thousands of jobs and small businesses in State of Texas and along the Gulf Coast at a time of an already record economic slowdown.”
Members of the oyster industry have already made great strides in reducing the number of illnesses resulting from Vibrio vulnificus by instituting voluntary practices that have reduced the incident rate by 35 percent, according to a statement released by Olson.
The FDA’s own figures on incidents of V.v. infections say that fewer than 30 individuals on average each year are affected resulting in fewer than 15 deaths per year, primarily in already immune suppressed individuals.
In addition to signing a letter to the FDA, Olson cosponsored H.R. 4022, the Gulf Oyster Protection Act of 2009. This legislation would block any funds the FDA receives from being used to implement or enforce any new rules requiring post-harvest processing treatments for oysters with regard to V.v.
“In a time of record economic uncertainty, this is an issue that has strong bipartisan support in Congress,” said Olson. “I encourage the FDA to do the right thing and retract their burdensome proposal that would harm so many oyster producers along the Gulf Coast.”
FDA backs off oyster ban after strong criticism
WASHINGTON AP– The Obama administration is backing off a plan to ban raw oysters from the Gulf of Mexico during warm weather.
The FDA acted after meeting with fierce resistance from the oyster industry and Gulf Coast lawmakers. Instead, the agency told lawmakers Friday it will put the proposal on hold while it studies ways to make consumption of raw oysters more safe, according to several lawmakers.
Critics said the plan could have killed a $500 million industry and thousands of jobs.
The ban would have prohibited sales of raw oysters from the Gulf for much of the year unless the shellfish were treated to destroy bacteria that kills about 15 people per year.
“Kill people”? Oh give us a break. Don’t see Olson cramming bad oysters down anyone’s throat. Yet more lies from the
board’s scud missile.
“patriot missive says:
November 11th, 2009 at 8:30 pm (#)
But seriously, the FDA must have a responsibility in protecting our food supply, even when Pete and con-gator would rather kill people than lose a dollar for “bidnez friendy” politics”
how that “ObamaKoolAide” tasting now?
But seriously, the FDA must have a responsibility in protecting our food supply, even when Pete and con-gator would rather kill people than lose a dollar for “bidnez friendy” politics.
the sign on the door said to take the stairs the elevator didn’t go to the top. I knocked, and the lights were on….but no one was at home on coocoo lane
Nothing represents you better than this hero FtBendConservative says: September 4th, 2009 at 8:36 pm (#) SillyAnthony don’t you have some little old ladies to kneecap?
yes the sign on the door said to take the stairs the elevator didn’t go to the top. I knocked, and the lights were on….but no one was at home on coocoo lane.
I don’t defend any ‘crony boyz’. I’m not in any city gov’t or associated with anyone that is. You’re dead wrong once again.
Shouldn’t you be out putting trash on peoples’ front doors? Oh yeah, you’ve already done that today. ha
Why don’t you both stop.
PIST Corporate welfare queens aren’t conservatives dummy….LOL
You really should learn to take your lumps and go away or at least to stop defending the crony-boyz and calling yourself conservative AH.