The INDsider -> Mary Tutwiler MON, APR 27 5:20AM by Mary Tutwiler

Crawfish legislation on the table

Two bills filed by Acadiana legislators aim to support Louisiana crawfish farmers.

Rep. Fred Mills Jr. of Parks proposes to create a public safety campaign to warn the public about the risks of eating seafood imported from China. Mill’s House Bill 551 would mandate that retail seafood dealers who offer Chinese seafood items post a notice that states: “WARNING: This product contains Chinese seafood which may be hazardous to your health.”

Mills' bill also targets restaurants, which would be required to post a sign that reads: “Chinese seafood has been reported to contain substances which may be carcinogenic. The consumption of Chinese seafood may be hazardous to your health.” The state has already imposed tariffs on imported seafood, but Mills' bill is directly aimed at the diner, who up until now has not been able to identify whether she is eating Louisiana or Chinese crawfish or shrimp in her etouffee.

Jennings Rep. John Guinn's House Bill 5 hopes to give a sales tax break to crawfish farmers for the purchase of bait and feed only.

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written by Cream of Steam , April 27, 2009 - 01:21 pm

It interesting that elected state officials forget the good old U. S. Constitution:

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3: The Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several
states . . .

Just how can Mills do this?

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written by Stupid Bill Alert , April 29, 2009 - 08:03 am

Let's call HB 551 what it really is - protectionism. Not protecting the citizens of Louisiana from harmful foods (that aren't), but protecting a few crawfishermen. Scare-mongering it what it really is.

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written by Cold Punk , April 29, 2009 - 08:28 am

Sorry, Stupid Bill is no longer President.

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written by LA Crawfish , April 29, 2009 - 12:35 pm

Mills isn't seeking to stop or interfere with international and interstate commerce. All he wants is for restuarants to be honest with their consumers about where their crawfish comes from.

I don't think they should have to post a hazardous health warning, but they should be mandated to disclose where their seafood comes from. Grocery stores have to disclose that information, and so should restuarants.

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