Friday, August 21, 2009
Let's cook!
August 20, 2009 01:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time
U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Showcased on Regional TV News
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two culinary artists recently used their talents to offer recipe ideas and cooking demonstrations featuring U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish on regional television stations across much of the South.
Dolores Fratesi, a culinary instructor and catfish farmer from Leland, Miss., and Lee Richardson, executive chef at Ashley’s restaurant in Little Rock, Ark., conducted the on-air demonstrations and interviews, which reached viewers in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Their efforts sought to draw attention to National Catfish Month – celebrated throughout the month of August – and honor American catfish farmers while showcasing the tasteful versatility of the popular fish.
“Dolores and her family are Mississippi catfish farmers and understand as well as anyone the importance of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish, and Lee, as a professional chef, is dedicated to sustainable cooking and often showcases U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish on his menu. I’m very pleased to have these talented people speaking on behalf of our industry,” said Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute.
Ms. Fratesi appeared on WLBT in Jackson, Miss., WABG in Greenville, Miss., WCBI in Columbus, Miss., and WREG in Memphis, Tenn. Chef Richardson appeared on KARK in Little Rock, Ark.
Both Richardson and Fratesi agree that U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is a great fit for most recipes. “We try to create updated dishes, modified from old recipes, using ingredients that are more colorful, flavorful and sustainable,” Fratesi said.
To view a sample of the recipes prepared by Fratesi and Richardson, including Catfish Po’boys with Pesto and Red peppers, Catfish Lafitte, and Fried Catfish, visit http://www.UScatfish.com.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Catfish Inspection
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009
Time to finish the details of the Catfish Inspection Program
The 2008 Farm Bill set out a number of broad issues — priorities if you will. However, those priorities are often put to the side when it comes to the government agencies charged with writing the rules and regulations. Or the issue can be starved to death for lack of funding.
Such could be the case with the Catfish Inspection Program. The United States Department of Agriculture is writing the rules to start such an inspection program and it will also need funding for the program to be fully implemented. There are two very important elected officials who will have a direct hand in providing that funding: Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, who serves on the House Agriculture Appropriations Sub-Committee.
There is pressure on some members of Congress to scuttle the inspection program because it would require foreign producers of catfish — China and Vietnam — to adhere to the same regulations U.S. producers have to follow, and that has created some push back. Vietnam has threatened a trade war and informed lawmakers from beef producing states that export to Vietnam that it is concerned about what form the catfish regulations might take.
Here is the simple answer lawmakers should give to any who question the prime directive to keep the American food supply chain safe: Back off. With the reputation foreign producers have in the world they should be thankful to see a USDA stamp on their exports. But no, they are far from happy because the manner in which they raise their fish does not, many times, meet U.S. standards. The Consumer Federation of America reported that the FDA had “rejected catfish products imported from China, Thailand and Vietnam, a total of 31 times” since June 2008. “In the majority of the cases, (these fish contained) unsafe animal drug residues ... and five of the imports from Vietnam were also prohibited from entering the U.S. because they were filthy, putrid, or because they tested positive for salmonella.”
The Chinese and Vietnamese have known these inspections would eventually come; still, they haven’t cleaned up their act or their fish. That will continue if regulations are stalled or underfunded. With the number of fish imported from suspect countries, Congress and the FDA have a duty to make those imports as safe as domestically produced fish. To do otherwise is fiscally and morally wrong.
— Charles E. Richardson,
Time to finish the details of the Catfish Inspection Program
The 2008 Farm Bill set out a number of broad issues — priorities if you will. However, those priorities are often put to the side when it comes to the government agencies charged with writing the rules and regulations. Or the issue can be starved to death for lack of funding.
Such could be the case with the Catfish Inspection Program. The United States Department of Agriculture is writing the rules to start such an inspection program and it will also need funding for the program to be fully implemented. There are two very important elected officials who will have a direct hand in providing that funding: Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, who serves on the House Agriculture Appropriations Sub-Committee.
There is pressure on some members of Congress to scuttle the inspection program because it would require foreign producers of catfish — China and Vietnam — to adhere to the same regulations U.S. producers have to follow, and that has created some push back. Vietnam has threatened a trade war and informed lawmakers from beef producing states that export to Vietnam that it is concerned about what form the catfish regulations might take.
Here is the simple answer lawmakers should give to any who question the prime directive to keep the American food supply chain safe: Back off. With the reputation foreign producers have in the world they should be thankful to see a USDA stamp on their exports. But no, they are far from happy because the manner in which they raise their fish does not, many times, meet U.S. standards. The Consumer Federation of America reported that the FDA had “rejected catfish products imported from China, Thailand and Vietnam, a total of 31 times” since June 2008. “In the majority of the cases, (these fish contained) unsafe animal drug residues ... and five of the imports from Vietnam were also prohibited from entering the U.S. because they were filthy, putrid, or because they tested positive for salmonella.”
The Chinese and Vietnamese have known these inspections would eventually come; still, they haven’t cleaned up their act or their fish. That will continue if regulations are stalled or underfunded. With the number of fish imported from suspect countries, Congress and the FDA have a duty to make those imports as safe as domestically produced fish. To do otherwise is fiscally and morally wrong.
— Charles E. Richardson,
Catfish Journal Correction
August 19, 2009 03:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time
CORRECTING and REPLACING Urner Berry Calls for USDA Inspection of Catfish
CORRECTION...by Catfish Farmers of America
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Please replace the release with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.
The corrected release reads:
URNER BERRY CALLS FOR USDA INSPECTION OF CATFISH
Urner Berry, the nation’s oldest commodity market news reporting service, offered validation for the U.S. catfish industry’s call for USDA inspections by way of an article published today in the Urner Barry’s FTD Trade Alert e-newsletter.
In the commentary, author Richard E. Gutting Jr. underscored concerns over the safety of imported seafood and states that increased inspections will help, and not hinder, U.S. seafood importers.
“Like eggs, salmonella is a persistent hazard for farmed seafood, and so is the illegal use of veterinary drugs,” Gutting stated. “Unlike eggs, most seafood is imported, so regulating American farmers alone won’t fix the problem.”
Gutting said the FDA’s current strategy of issuing Import Alerts to control contaminated seafood “is unfair – and it isn’t working. Import refusals of seafood persist, and the number of Import Alerts and shippers subject to mandatory testing is growing. Few importers can control farming operations thousands of miles away, and as the experts point out – you can’t test your way out of food-safety problems.”
Rather, Gutting supports a more direct approach to work with the exporting countries to help them improve the safety of their products.
“You can, however, improve safety through government-to-government equivalency agreements, backed up by audits of foreign regulators and by government inspections,” Gutting said. “This is the strategy pursued by other countries for seafood and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for meat and poultry – and it’s the strategy that will go into effect this December for catfish.”
Under the proposed new USDA regulations, said Gutting, U.S. catfish farmers, consumers and seafood importers alike all stand to benefit from increased food safety inspections.
“The government-to-government system works because it places responsibility where it needs to be – on foreign regulators and producers – rather than on importers,” Gutting said.
The information obtained from the “Urner Barry’s FTD Trade Alert” e-newsletter is comprised of the opinions of Richard E. Gutting Jr., and not necessarily those of Urner Berry.
Contacts
Alabama labeling
State legislation friendly to agriculture
Aug 19, 2009 9:26 AM, By Paul L. Hollis, Farm Press Editorial Staff
"In recent years, imported catfish from Vietnam and China has flooded the U.S. market despite repeatedly testing positive for chemicals and antibiotics banned in this country."
Farm group leaders in the lower Southeast are claiming victories during state legislative sessions this year despite the constraints placed on lawmakers by budget shortfalls in every state.
In Alabama, a catfish labeling bill — HB 473 — passed easily and has been signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley. In recent years, imported catfish from Vietnam and China has flooded the U.S. market despite repeatedly testing positive for chemicals and antibiotics banned in this country.
The passage of the bill is being hailed as a victory for Alabama catfish farmers by Alabama Farmers Federation Catfish Division Director Mitt Walker.
The new labeling requirements take effect in August. The Alabama Department of Public Health, which is charged with enforcing the labeling standards, will develop rules related to the new law and will likely request comments from the public. To make compliance easier and less costly, Alabama Catfish Producers has agreed to provide free signs, menu stickers and table tents to restaurants serving U.S. farm-raised catfish. Alabama is the nation’s second-largest producer of farm-raised catfish.
Aug 19, 2009 9:26 AM, By Paul L. Hollis, Farm Press Editorial Staff
"In recent years, imported catfish from Vietnam and China has flooded the U.S. market despite repeatedly testing positive for chemicals and antibiotics banned in this country."
Farm group leaders in the lower Southeast are claiming victories during state legislative sessions this year despite the constraints placed on lawmakers by budget shortfalls in every state.
In Alabama, a catfish labeling bill — HB 473 — passed easily and has been signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley. In recent years, imported catfish from Vietnam and China has flooded the U.S. market despite repeatedly testing positive for chemicals and antibiotics banned in this country.
The passage of the bill is being hailed as a victory for Alabama catfish farmers by Alabama Farmers Federation Catfish Division Director Mitt Walker.
The new labeling requirements take effect in August. The Alabama Department of Public Health, which is charged with enforcing the labeling standards, will develop rules related to the new law and will likely request comments from the public. To make compliance easier and less costly, Alabama Catfish Producers has agreed to provide free signs, menu stickers and table tents to restaurants serving U.S. farm-raised catfish. Alabama is the nation’s second-largest producer of farm-raised catfish.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
National Catfish Month
Pine Bluff - As the U.S. commemorates August as National Catfish Month, producers in Arkansas and across the country are grappling with high feed costs and a drop in sales, experts say.“The last two years have been especially difficult for the U.S. catfish industry, probably the most difficult years in its half a century history, and several farmers have been forced out of the business,” said Steeve Pomerleau, an Extension aquaculture specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Work on off flavor
Taste-testing keeps state's catfish flavorful
By Rebekah RayDelta Research and Extension Center
STONEVILLE — Consumers expect nothing less than the best from Mississippi’s pond-raised catfish industry, and this keeps researchers at Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center conducting taste tests on the popular fish.
Mississippi State University researcher Craig Tucker collects catfish from ponds, immediately fillets and microwaves them and then tastes the product for any off-flavors. (Photo by MSU Delta Research and Extension Center/Rebekah Ray)
“Pond-raised catfish should have a very mild flavor,” said Craig Tucker, director of the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center in Stoneville. “Off-flavored catfish creates a severe economic hardship for catfish farmers because the fish are not marketable. Off-flavor prevents the timely harvest of fish, raises production costs, interrupts cash flow and disrupts the transfer of fish to processors.”
MSU researchers have developed a chart describing the many individual flavors detected in pond-raised catfish. Acceptable or positive flavors include chickeny, buttery, nutty and sweet corn. Negative flavors include fishy, stale, metallic, woody, earthy, musty and moldy.
In checking for flavor, researchers collect catfish from a pond and immediately fillet them. In the lab, the samples are washed in clean water, and the unseasoned fillets are briefly microwaved. Trained taste-testers then assess the aroma and flavor of the unseasoned samples, which are then ranked on a numerical scale.
“If the sample is off-flavor, harvesting in that pond is delayed until the problem can be corrected and the flavor improved,” Tucker said.
For the past 18 years, research associate Margaret Dennis has helped set up taste tests at the aquaculture center. She said becoming a taste-tester requires time and training.
“When I began, I could not tell much difference in the subtle flavors of catfish, but after going through the training process, I learned how to do it,” Dennis said.
Off-flavor problems can originate from several sources, including diet, pollution and the environment. While catfish off-flavors from diet are possible, it is rare in pond-raised fish, which are usually fed high-protein commercial feed of soybeans, corn, wheat, vitamins and minerals. During the winter months, however, farmers may not routinely feed their fish, and fish forage on natural foods and develop undesirable flavors.
“Sometimes even in the controlled environment of catfish ponds, we find off-flavors that result from fish eating foods such as detritus and other organic materials located on the bottom of ponds,” Tucker said.
Most flavor problems are caused by odorous compounds produced by microorganisms naturally occurring in the water. Algae or bacteria are released into water and absorbed through fish gills or skin, or into the intestinal tract. The compounds are deposited in fatty tissues and produce undesirable off-flavors. Although these compounds are harmless, they have an intense odor.
“The most common off-flavors have been described as earthy, muddy, moldy or musty, and these result from blue-green algae. The only way to know what algae are present in a pond is to examine the pond water under a microscope,” Tucker said.
Musty or muddy off-flavors develop rapidly and disappear more slowly. Once the flavor develops, the key is to eliminate the algae causing the problem and let the fish naturally purge the chemical.
“After treating the pond with an algaecide, fish should be sampled daily for flavor quality because the musty or muddy off-flavors usually disappear from fish within a few days in warm water,” Tucker said.
-30-
Released: Aug. 13, 2009Contact: Dr. Craig Tucker (662) 686-3286
By Rebekah RayDelta Research and Extension Center
STONEVILLE — Consumers expect nothing less than the best from Mississippi’s pond-raised catfish industry, and this keeps researchers at Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center conducting taste tests on the popular fish.
Mississippi State University researcher Craig Tucker collects catfish from ponds, immediately fillets and microwaves them and then tastes the product for any off-flavors. (Photo by MSU Delta Research and Extension Center/Rebekah Ray)
“Pond-raised catfish should have a very mild flavor,” said Craig Tucker, director of the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center in Stoneville. “Off-flavored catfish creates a severe economic hardship for catfish farmers because the fish are not marketable. Off-flavor prevents the timely harvest of fish, raises production costs, interrupts cash flow and disrupts the transfer of fish to processors.”
MSU researchers have developed a chart describing the many individual flavors detected in pond-raised catfish. Acceptable or positive flavors include chickeny, buttery, nutty and sweet corn. Negative flavors include fishy, stale, metallic, woody, earthy, musty and moldy.
In checking for flavor, researchers collect catfish from a pond and immediately fillet them. In the lab, the samples are washed in clean water, and the unseasoned fillets are briefly microwaved. Trained taste-testers then assess the aroma and flavor of the unseasoned samples, which are then ranked on a numerical scale.
“If the sample is off-flavor, harvesting in that pond is delayed until the problem can be corrected and the flavor improved,” Tucker said.
For the past 18 years, research associate Margaret Dennis has helped set up taste tests at the aquaculture center. She said becoming a taste-tester requires time and training.
“When I began, I could not tell much difference in the subtle flavors of catfish, but after going through the training process, I learned how to do it,” Dennis said.
Off-flavor problems can originate from several sources, including diet, pollution and the environment. While catfish off-flavors from diet are possible, it is rare in pond-raised fish, which are usually fed high-protein commercial feed of soybeans, corn, wheat, vitamins and minerals. During the winter months, however, farmers may not routinely feed their fish, and fish forage on natural foods and develop undesirable flavors.
“Sometimes even in the controlled environment of catfish ponds, we find off-flavors that result from fish eating foods such as detritus and other organic materials located on the bottom of ponds,” Tucker said.
Most flavor problems are caused by odorous compounds produced by microorganisms naturally occurring in the water. Algae or bacteria are released into water and absorbed through fish gills or skin, or into the intestinal tract. The compounds are deposited in fatty tissues and produce undesirable off-flavors. Although these compounds are harmless, they have an intense odor.
“The most common off-flavors have been described as earthy, muddy, moldy or musty, and these result from blue-green algae. The only way to know what algae are present in a pond is to examine the pond water under a microscope,” Tucker said.
Musty or muddy off-flavors develop rapidly and disappear more slowly. Once the flavor develops, the key is to eliminate the algae causing the problem and let the fish naturally purge the chemical.
“After treating the pond with an algaecide, fish should be sampled daily for flavor quality because the musty or muddy off-flavors usually disappear from fish within a few days in warm water,” Tucker said.
-30-
Released: Aug. 13, 2009Contact: Dr. Craig Tucker (662) 686-3286
Friday, August 14, 2009
Arkansas Catfish Farmer of the Year, Dennington Moss, featured in a new national advertising campaign
Each year, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi – the four states that produce the majority of the nation’s catfish – recognize one of their most respected and successful farmers per state as “Catfish Farmer of the Year.” The Catfish Institute (TCI), the marketing arm of the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry, is once again featuring these four farmers in a new national advertising campaign. The print ads debut during National Catfish Month in publications including Cooking With Paula Deen and Saveur, among others.
The 2009 Catfish Farmers of the Year include: Townsend Kyser of Greensboro, Ala.; Dennington Moss of Lake Village, Ark.; Brandon Haring of Wisner, La., and Joe Ogelsby of Indianola, Miss.
“These leading producers are very deserving of national recognition due to their contributions to our industry,” said TCI president Roger Barlow. “They have worked hard to create a healthy, home-grown product – U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish – and we are proud to feature these outstanding American farmers in our new marketing campaign.”
In addition to the Farmers of the Year, TCI’s new campaign features recipe photography and draws attention to the fish’s versatility, as well as healthful and earth-friendly attributes.
The 2009 Catfish Farmers of the Year include: Townsend Kyser of Greensboro, Ala.; Dennington Moss of Lake Village, Ark.; Brandon Haring of Wisner, La., and Joe Ogelsby of Indianola, Miss.
“These leading producers are very deserving of national recognition due to their contributions to our industry,” said TCI president Roger Barlow. “They have worked hard to create a healthy, home-grown product – U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish – and we are proud to feature these outstanding American farmers in our new marketing campaign.”
In addition to the Farmers of the Year, TCI’s new campaign features recipe photography and draws attention to the fish’s versatility, as well as healthful and earth-friendly attributes.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Aquaculture Expert Supports USDA Inspections for Catfish
August 07, 2009 09:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carol Engle, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), recently offered a scientific foundation for her support of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspections for catfish sold in the United States.
Dr. Engle, a respected agricultural economist and leading aquaculture researcher, has spent years studying global aquaculture practices and makes her remarks following two recent trips to review the Vietnamese aquaculture industry.
In Dr. Engle’s statement, she acknowledges that consumers in the U.S. are concerned with food safety, especially that of imported seafood products, which account for the majority of U.S. seafood consumption. As America imports more and more of its seafood, she notes it is imperative that regulations on seafood are adequate to ensure the safety of the nation’s consumers.
Excerpts from Dr. Engle’s commentary:
“The USDA is the agency that has worked with agriculture and with farmers and has been charged with regulating agriculture in many ways. This is the agency that really deserves quite a bit of the credit for the safety of our food supply because they understand the entire farming system – what it takes from the beginning to the end of the product.
“When you look at a product like catfish, catfish is part of agriculture. It’s treated as agriculture in many respects in terms of other regulatory issues. It is a type of farming. The difference is that catfish are farmed in water rather than in crop fields. But it is a form of agriculture. So, on one hand it simply makes sense for catfish regulations and inspections to be treated as any other form of agriculture.
“On the other hand, there’s another important reason why USDA inspections may be better suited for catfish. This is because USDA operates under a principal of equivalency. What this means is that one standard… one set of guidelines… is set. So regardless of where the product is coming from, the same standards apply. The standards are set to ensure the safety of the product regardless of where it comes from.”
Dr. Engle describes one of the major differences between U.S. and Vietnamese aquaculture:
“The major difference in all of this is the source of the water. Fish obviously live in the water, but they also take up whatever is in the water itself. In the United States, on catfish farms, the source of water is primarily from wells – ground water that has been filtered down through the layers of rock and soil.
“In Vietnam, the majority of fish being raised are raised in the Mekong delta region of Vietnam. Because there’s so little land, daily life really occurs on the water. What this means is that discharges of any kind of waste whatsoever are discharged directly into these waters. This includes discharges from factories, farms and run-off from different locations. It also includes human sewage and human waste, because Vietnam simply does not have the type of sewer systems that we have in the U.S. What is going on would not be allowed in the U.S.”
For more information about the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry and its support of USDA inspections for catfish, or to view a full video of Dr. Engle’s commentary, visit www.UScatfish.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6025731&lang=en
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carol Engle, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), recently offered a scientific foundation for her support of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspections for catfish sold in the United States.
Dr. Engle, a respected agricultural economist and leading aquaculture researcher, has spent years studying global aquaculture practices and makes her remarks following two recent trips to review the Vietnamese aquaculture industry.
In Dr. Engle’s statement, she acknowledges that consumers in the U.S. are concerned with food safety, especially that of imported seafood products, which account for the majority of U.S. seafood consumption. As America imports more and more of its seafood, she notes it is imperative that regulations on seafood are adequate to ensure the safety of the nation’s consumers.
Excerpts from Dr. Engle’s commentary:
“The USDA is the agency that has worked with agriculture and with farmers and has been charged with regulating agriculture in many ways. This is the agency that really deserves quite a bit of the credit for the safety of our food supply because they understand the entire farming system – what it takes from the beginning to the end of the product.
“When you look at a product like catfish, catfish is part of agriculture. It’s treated as agriculture in many respects in terms of other regulatory issues. It is a type of farming. The difference is that catfish are farmed in water rather than in crop fields. But it is a form of agriculture. So, on one hand it simply makes sense for catfish regulations and inspections to be treated as any other form of agriculture.
“On the other hand, there’s another important reason why USDA inspections may be better suited for catfish. This is because USDA operates under a principal of equivalency. What this means is that one standard… one set of guidelines… is set. So regardless of where the product is coming from, the same standards apply. The standards are set to ensure the safety of the product regardless of where it comes from.”
Dr. Engle describes one of the major differences between U.S. and Vietnamese aquaculture:
“The major difference in all of this is the source of the water. Fish obviously live in the water, but they also take up whatever is in the water itself. In the United States, on catfish farms, the source of water is primarily from wells – ground water that has been filtered down through the layers of rock and soil.
“In Vietnam, the majority of fish being raised are raised in the Mekong delta region of Vietnam. Because there’s so little land, daily life really occurs on the water. What this means is that discharges of any kind of waste whatsoever are discharged directly into these waters. This includes discharges from factories, farms and run-off from different locations. It also includes human sewage and human waste, because Vietnam simply does not have the type of sewer systems that we have in the U.S. What is going on would not be allowed in the U.S.”
For more information about the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry and its support of USDA inspections for catfish, or to view a full video of Dr. Engle’s commentary, visit www.UScatfish.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6025731&lang=en
August marks National Catfish Month, continuing economic challenges for producers
PINE BLUFF, Ark. - As the U.S. commemorates National Catfish Month, producers in Arkansas and across the country are grappling with high feed costs and a drop in sales.
"The last two years have been especially difficult for the U.S. catfish industry, probably the most difficult years in its half a century history, and several farmers have been forced out of the business," said Steeve Pomerleau, an Extension aquaculture specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
High catfish feed prices, driven by higher soybean and corn costs, is one of the biggest challenges facing catfish producers. Average catfish pond bank prices have remained at about 77 cents per pound since 2007. While this price is above the long-run average of 70 cents per pound, production costs have risen faster than prices have increased. Meanwhile, imports have increased to capture 20 percent of the U.S. catfish market. While catfish imports from China have dropped 44 percent since 2008, tra and basa fish from Vietnam remain among the top imports.
"Many farmers are forced out of business by this perfect storm of high feed prices, low pond bank fish prices, increased competition from cheaper imported fish from Asia, and diminishing demand due to the slower economy," Pomerleau said.
However, many catfish farmers in Arkansas have been able to remain in business by scaling back their operation, he said.
"Some farmers dropped their water acreage significantly and also stocked less fish per water acre in an attempt to minimize their operating expenses to a sustainable level," Pomerleau said.
To try to keep catfish feed prices down, feed mills have developed new feed formulations. Because the performance of the formulations on catfish growth and feed conversion ratios were basically unknown, the UAPB Aquaculture/Fisheries Center has been studying them over the last two years.
"We've partnered with the industry to scientifically test the performance of some of those new feed formulations in tanks and ponds and to provide the industry with reliable data from which to make decisions," Pomerleau said.
The UAPB Aquaculture/Fisheries Center has also conducted workshops to assist catfish farmers with financial management issues during difficult times.
Thanks to economic stimulus legislation which called for $50 million in assistance, U.S. fish farmers are getting some help at the federal level. Arkansas received $7.8 million of those funds, said Ted McNulty, aquaculture director for the Arkansas Agriculture Department.
"On July 20, the Aquaculture division dispersed $7,131,909.36 in checks to 122 farmers," he said. "The farmers received the difference between the previous five-year average cost for feed and their average 2008 cost of feed times the tons of feed purchased in 2008 -- up to $100,000. The Arkansas Agriculture Department-Aquaculture Division received the funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Sen. Blanche Lincoln was responsible for getting the funds included in the Act."
McNulty said the previous five-year average cost of feed was $235 per ton and most farmers paid between $375 and $425 a ton in 2008.
Despite the challenges that the industry faces, catfish farming continues to play an important role in the state's economy. Producers are striving to make the production process as efficient as possible and are studying new marketing strategies and products to increase their market share and improve the price they obtain for their fish.
"The catfish industry contributes about 3,500 jobs to the Arkansas economy and about $500,000 in total economic impact," said UAPB Aquaculture/Fisheries Center Director, Dr. Carole Engle, adding that catfish boasts many benefits.
"It's a safe product that is raised in well water, fed grains, subjected to numerous regulations and inspections by state and federal agencies, and self-imposed by the industry to ensure that it meets high quality standards," she said.
It's also a sustainable product that is very versatile.
"Catfish is locally grown and is one of the most environmentally sustainable types of seafood available," Engle said. "It is a great-tasting, healthy, high-protein, low-fat product that is excellent for frying, grilling, baking and stir frying."
She urged that consumers ask to ensure that what they are buying is U.S. farm-raised catfish.
Congress designated August as National Catfish Month the late 1980s to highlight the contributions that the U.S. catfish industry makes to the nation's economy, while providing consumers with a healthy, safe and great-tasting food.
For a variety of catfish recipes including southwestern pan-fried catfish, cheesy catfish, catfish gumbo and creole catfish cakes, visit www.uscatfish.com.
By: Bobbie Crockett
Extension Specialist - Communications
School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Mr. Food® Celebrates National Catfish Month
August 04, 2009 05:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationally syndicated television chef Mr. Food® celebrated National Catfish Month today in a segment that featured a new Greek recipe for U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.
“In honor of August being National Catfish Month, we’re celebrating this truly all-American fish,” said Mr. Food®. “And since catfish is farm-raised right here in the states in eco-friendly ponds, you know we’ve got goodness in every bite. And talk about reasonable; we can make a fancy dish like this, for the whole family, for less than it would cost for one person to go out.”
“We’re so happy to have Mr. Food bringing our product to a national television audience,” said Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute. “Today, more than five million households saw the versatility and healthful benefits of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.”
To view the recipe and to watch a video of how to prepare Mr. Food’s Greek Style Catfish recipe, please visit the link below:
http://www.mrfood.com/recipe_detail.aspx?item_guid=28a72bc4-2ab4-4706-88f0-bcf23593db00.
This message brought to you by The Catfish Institute. For more information, visit http://www.UScatfish.com.
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationally syndicated television chef Mr. Food® celebrated National Catfish Month today in a segment that featured a new Greek recipe for U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.
“In honor of August being National Catfish Month, we’re celebrating this truly all-American fish,” said Mr. Food®. “And since catfish is farm-raised right here in the states in eco-friendly ponds, you know we’ve got goodness in every bite. And talk about reasonable; we can make a fancy dish like this, for the whole family, for less than it would cost for one person to go out.”
“We’re so happy to have Mr. Food bringing our product to a national television audience,” said Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute. “Today, more than five million households saw the versatility and healthful benefits of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.”
To view the recipe and to watch a video of how to prepare Mr. Food’s Greek Style Catfish recipe, please visit the link below:
http://www.mrfood.com/recipe_detail.aspx?item_guid=28a72bc4-2ab4-4706-88f0-bcf23593db00.
This message brought to you by The Catfish Institute. For more information, visit http://www.UScatfish.com.
Friday, July 31, 2009
August is National Catfish Month!
Celebrate by Supporting American Agriculture
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To honor the hard work and innovations of U.S. catfish farmers, the month of August was designated as National Catfish Month in the late 1980s. But the U.S. catfish industry’s contributions to our nation’s health and economy have never been more vital than they are today, as illustrated by recent imported seafood scares.
Of course, it’s the perfectly mild flavor that made U.S. catfish so popular in the first place, and the strict standards of U.S. catfish farmers ensure superior freshness and taste. Blackened, broiled, grilled or fried – U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish works in virtually any recipe, which makes celebrating National Catfish Month pretty easy. Just make sure to look for the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish seal in the grocery store, and ask before you order if you don’t see it on the menu at your favorite restaurant.
“August is National U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Month, and it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the many delicious preparations of this versatile, all-American fish,” says Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute (TCI). “Long-regarded as a Southern staple, U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is now being embraced across the country not only because of its health benefits, quality assurance and environmental safety, but also because it is American-grown and widely available.”
U.S. catfish are raised in pure freshwater ponds and fed a nutrient-rich diet of floating grain pellets. This extremely eco-friendly farming practice also eliminates the “fishy” taste found in other varieties of fish.
The majority of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is produced on family-owned farms in the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana, where many of these growers are second- or third-generation farmers. Since the farms and processing plants exist in primarily rural areas, catfish farming provides a significant source of revenue and employment.
“Our goal at TCI is to educate consumers about what a wonderful, home-grown product we have in U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish,” says Barlow. “When consumers purchase catfish labeled with the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish seal, they are supporting our nation’s farmers and providing jobs to tens of thousands of Americans.”
Remember the hardworking American farmers during National Catfish Month and purchase products grown in the U.S.A., including U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.
This August, try Grilled Catfish Over Mixed Salad Greens as a healthy, tasty option for your family.
Grilled Catfish Over Mixed Salad Greens
2 U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish fillets
1/4 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
1-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon)
1 small shallot, finely chopped (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 cups mixed salad greens such as arugula, chicory, escarole, mustard and radicchio, washed and torn into bite-size pieces and dried
1. Place catfish fillet strips and mushrooms in a shallow dish. Mix olive oil, vinegar, tarragon, shallot, salt and pepper in a small bowl using a wire whisk until well blended.
2. Pour two-thirds of the marinade over the catfish. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinate. Reserve remaining marinade to use as salad dressing.
3. Prepare a grill or preheat the broiler.
4. Place catfish fillets on an oiled grill rack or broiler pan rack. Grill or broil 4 inches from the heat source for 2 or 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Allow to cool slightly; serve warm.
5. Toss salad greens, mushrooms and reserved marinade in a large bowl. Top with grilled catfish.
For more information, visit http://www.uscatfish.com.
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To honor the hard work and innovations of U.S. catfish farmers, the month of August was designated as National Catfish Month in the late 1980s. But the U.S. catfish industry’s contributions to our nation’s health and economy have never been more vital than they are today, as illustrated by recent imported seafood scares. Of course, it’s the perfectly mild flavor that made U.S. catfish so popular in the first place, and the strict standards of U.S. catfish farmers ensure superior freshness and taste. Blackened, broiled, grilled or fried – U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish works in virtually any recipe, which makes celebrating National Catfish Month pretty easy. Just make sure to look for the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish seal in the grocery store, and ask before you order if you don’t see it on the menu at your favorite restaurant.
“August is National U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Month, and it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the many delicious preparations of this versatile, all-American fish,” says Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute (TCI). “Long-regarded as a Southern staple, U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is now being embraced across the country not only because of its health benefits, quality assurance and environmental safety, but also because it is American-grown and widely available.”
U.S. catfish are raised in pure freshwater ponds and fed a nutrient-rich diet of floating grain pellets. This extremely eco-friendly farming practice also eliminates the “fishy” taste found in other varieties of fish.
The majority of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is produced on family-owned farms in the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana, where many of these growers are second- or third-generation farmers. Since the farms and processing plants exist in primarily rural areas, catfish farming provides a significant source of revenue and employment.
“Our goal at TCI is to educate consumers about what a wonderful, home-grown product we have in U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish,” says Barlow. “When consumers purchase catfish labeled with the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish seal, they are supporting our nation’s farmers and providing jobs to tens of thousands of Americans.”
Remember the hardworking American farmers during National Catfish Month and purchase products grown in the U.S.A., including U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.
This August, try Grilled Catfish Over Mixed Salad Greens as a healthy, tasty option for your family.
Grilled Catfish Over Mixed Salad Greens
2 U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish fillets
1/4 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
1-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon)
1 small shallot, finely chopped (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 cups mixed salad greens such as arugula, chicory, escarole, mustard and radicchio, washed and torn into bite-size pieces and dried
1. Place catfish fillet strips and mushrooms in a shallow dish. Mix olive oil, vinegar, tarragon, shallot, salt and pepper in a small bowl using a wire whisk until well blended.
2. Pour two-thirds of the marinade over the catfish. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinate. Reserve remaining marinade to use as salad dressing.
3. Prepare a grill or preheat the broiler.
4. Place catfish fillets on an oiled grill rack or broiler pan rack. Grill or broil 4 inches from the heat source for 2 or 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Allow to cool slightly; serve warm.
5. Toss salad greens, mushrooms and reserved marinade in a large bowl. Top with grilled catfish.
For more information, visit http://www.uscatfish.com.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Food Safety Organizations, U.S. Congressman Voice Support for USDA Inspections for Catfish
July 29, 2009 04:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In letters sent last week to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, three of the nation’s largest food safety watchdog groups and a U.S. Congressman voiced their support for USDA inspections for domestic and imported catfish species, as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill.
The first letter was sent jointly by the Consumer Federation of America, the largest consumer group in the United States; Food and Water Watch, the largest public interest food watchdog group; and Safe Tables Our Priority, a coalition of consumer and food safety advocates, on July 23, 2009.
Excerpts from the jointly signed letter:
“We hope you will use the new responsibility given to the USDA by the 2008 Farm Bill to design a program that requires specific safety standards for both domestic and imported catfish, as the agency currently does for meat and poultry,” the letter stated, speaking to Sec. Vilsack.
“Consumers have good reason to demand that imported catfish be raised and processed under similar safety standards as domestic catfish. Since June 1, 2008, the FDA has rejected catfish products imported from China, Thailand and Vietnam a total of thirty one times. Thailand was responsible for two refusals, China was responsible for thirteen, and Vietnamese catfish products were rejected a total of sixteen times.”
“The intent of Congress in creating this new inspection program for catfish was to assure that catfish was safely produced and processed for consumers. Since the majority of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported, it is crucial that any new standards and inspection program for catfish apply to both domestic and imported species.”
In a separate letter to Sec. Vilsack from Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, the lawmaker recalls a trip to tour Vietnamese seafood processing facilities in December 2008, where he noted the aquaculture conditions were less than favorable and the fish were unfit for American consumption.
Excerpts from Congressman Boswell’s letter:
“Currently there is no mandate to inspect or certify that foreign seafood plants meet standards equivalent to those in the United States, though such mandates exist for other meat proteins,” Boswell stated in his letter to Sec. Vilsack.
“During my most recent trip to the Mekong Delta, I saw the putrid conditions in which these fish are raised. I saw raw sewage and drainage pipes leading directly into the Mekong Delta upstream from where the fish farms are located.”
“The FDA only voluntarily inspects less than one percent of total food imports and less than two percent of seafood from foreign plants. This is frightening and unacceptable.”
Unedited copies of both letters are available:
Congressman Leonard Boswell's Letter: In a letter sent last week to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-IA) voiced his support for USDA inspections for domestic and imported catfish species, as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill.
Food safety watchdog groups letter: In a letter sent last week to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, three of the nation's largest food safety watchdog groups voiced their support for USDA inspections for domestic and imported catfish species, as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill.
For more information about the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry and its support of USDA inspections for catfish, visit UScatfish.com.
Catfish Farmers of America
Taylor Webb, 601-206-1600
catfishjournalth@bellsouth.net
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In letters sent last week to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, three of the nation’s largest food safety watchdog groups and a U.S. Congressman voiced their support for USDA inspections for domestic and imported catfish species, as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill.
The first letter was sent jointly by the Consumer Federation of America, the largest consumer group in the United States; Food and Water Watch, the largest public interest food watchdog group; and Safe Tables Our Priority, a coalition of consumer and food safety advocates, on July 23, 2009.
Excerpts from the jointly signed letter:
“We hope you will use the new responsibility given to the USDA by the 2008 Farm Bill to design a program that requires specific safety standards for both domestic and imported catfish, as the agency currently does for meat and poultry,” the letter stated, speaking to Sec. Vilsack.
“Consumers have good reason to demand that imported catfish be raised and processed under similar safety standards as domestic catfish. Since June 1, 2008, the FDA has rejected catfish products imported from China, Thailand and Vietnam a total of thirty one times. Thailand was responsible for two refusals, China was responsible for thirteen, and Vietnamese catfish products were rejected a total of sixteen times.”
“The intent of Congress in creating this new inspection program for catfish was to assure that catfish was safely produced and processed for consumers. Since the majority of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported, it is crucial that any new standards and inspection program for catfish apply to both domestic and imported species.”
In a separate letter to Sec. Vilsack from Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, the lawmaker recalls a trip to tour Vietnamese seafood processing facilities in December 2008, where he noted the aquaculture conditions were less than favorable and the fish were unfit for American consumption.
Excerpts from Congressman Boswell’s letter:
“Currently there is no mandate to inspect or certify that foreign seafood plants meet standards equivalent to those in the United States, though such mandates exist for other meat proteins,” Boswell stated in his letter to Sec. Vilsack.
“During my most recent trip to the Mekong Delta, I saw the putrid conditions in which these fish are raised. I saw raw sewage and drainage pipes leading directly into the Mekong Delta upstream from where the fish farms are located.”
“The FDA only voluntarily inspects less than one percent of total food imports and less than two percent of seafood from foreign plants. This is frightening and unacceptable.”
Unedited copies of both letters are available:
Congressman Leonard Boswell's Letter: In a letter sent last week to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-IA) voiced his support for USDA inspections for domestic and imported catfish species, as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill.
Food safety watchdog groups letter: In a letter sent last week to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, three of the nation's largest food safety watchdog groups voiced their support for USDA inspections for domestic and imported catfish species, as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill.
For more information about the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry and its support of USDA inspections for catfish, visit UScatfish.com.
Catfish Farmers of America
Taylor Webb, 601-206-1600
catfishjournalth@bellsouth.net
Monday, July 27, 2009
Foodfish Inventory Numbers Down 9 Percent from a Year Ago
Foodfish Inventory Numbers Down 9 Percent from a Year Ago
Catfish operations in the three major producing States (Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi) had 241 million foodsize fish on hand on July 1, 2009, down 9 percent from the July 1, 2008 total of 265 million foodsize fish. The breakouts of foodsize fish inventory numbers on July 1, 2009, with their respective percent change from the previous year were: large foodsize, 6.58 million fish, up 3 percent; medium foodsize, 59.3 million fish, down 16 percent; and small foodsize, 175 million fish, down 7 percent.
The three major States also had 529 thousand broodfish on hand on July 1, 2009, down 19 percent from last year's 655 thousand broodfish.
The number of large stockers on hand on July 1, 2009, totaled 231 million fish, down 21 percent from the 293 million fish on hand a year ago. There were 216 million small stockers, down 25 percent from last year. Producers had 877 million fingerlings and fry on hand on July 1, 2009
Water Acres Down 15 Percent
The water surface area to be used for catfish production during July 1 through December 31, 2009, totaled 112 thousand acres, down 15 percent from a year ago. Acres used for foodsize fish totaled 92.5 thousand acres, down 15 percent from the same time period in 2008. Acres for broodfish decreased 5 percent to 2.41 thousand acres, and acres used for fingerling production decreased 19 percent to 14.5 thousand acres. Acres taken out of production during the January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 period totaled 11.4 thousand acres, while 3.09 thousand acres of the total in production were scheduled to be renovated from July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. The number of operations on July 1, 2009 in the three major States totaled 613, down 22 percent from last year's total of 788 operations.
Released July 24, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Production" call Chris Hawthorn at (202) 720-0585, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
Catfish operations in the three major producing States (Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi) had 241 million foodsize fish on hand on July 1, 2009, down 9 percent from the July 1, 2008 total of 265 million foodsize fish. The breakouts of foodsize fish inventory numbers on July 1, 2009, with their respective percent change from the previous year were: large foodsize, 6.58 million fish, up 3 percent; medium foodsize, 59.3 million fish, down 16 percent; and small foodsize, 175 million fish, down 7 percent.
The three major States also had 529 thousand broodfish on hand on July 1, 2009, down 19 percent from last year's 655 thousand broodfish.
The number of large stockers on hand on July 1, 2009, totaled 231 million fish, down 21 percent from the 293 million fish on hand a year ago. There were 216 million small stockers, down 25 percent from last year. Producers had 877 million fingerlings and fry on hand on July 1, 2009
Water Acres Down 15 Percent
The water surface area to be used for catfish production during July 1 through December 31, 2009, totaled 112 thousand acres, down 15 percent from a year ago. Acres used for foodsize fish totaled 92.5 thousand acres, down 15 percent from the same time period in 2008. Acres for broodfish decreased 5 percent to 2.41 thousand acres, and acres used for fingerling production decreased 19 percent to 14.5 thousand acres. Acres taken out of production during the January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 period totaled 11.4 thousand acres, while 3.09 thousand acres of the total in production were scheduled to be renovated from July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. The number of operations on July 1, 2009 in the three major States totaled 613, down 22 percent from last year's total of 788 operations.
Released July 24, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Production" call Chris Hawthorn at (202) 720-0585, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
The U.S. Catfish Industry Stands Firm, Maintains Support for USDA Inspections
July 24, 2009 06:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Because consumer confidence in safe and healthy seafood is critical, the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry maintains its support for USDA inspections.
U.S. consumers currently believe that their seafood is subject to the same rigorous inspection standards as those imposed on meat and poultry products, but current FDA inspection programs are hardly adequate to handle the nation’s demand for seafood. As a result, the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Industry supports Congress’s recommendation to transfer catfish inspection responsibilities to the USDA and its Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).
“Aquaculture is agriculture, plain and simple; our catfish are grown by farmers, not fisherman,” said Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute. “Because of this, it simply makes sense that our industry be regulated by the appropriate administration.”
Seafood consumption in the United States now exceeds 4.9 billion pounds annually, and of this amount, over 83% are imported. Under current FDA regulations, more than 99% of seafood imports do not undergo inspection. Furthermore, only a fraction of that amount is tested for contamination with illegal drugs and chemicals. Specifically, from May 2008 to May 2009, 14 Vietnamese pangasius (basa/tra/swai) shipments were refused entry by the FDA.
“Catfish farmers want consumers of our product to be protected by the one food safety system that is actually working and instills confidence – USDA inspection,” said Joey Lowery, president of Catfish Farmers of America (CFA).
The meat, eggs and poultry that U.S. consumers eat are all subject to rigorous and continuous inspection by FSIS, regardless of whether they are produced domestically or imported. All production and processing practices are strictly and uniformly regulated, ensuring consumers that what they feed their families is safe and of the highest quality.
According to Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, who led a delegation of Committee members to Vietnam in December 2008, the water Vietnamese catfish are raised in is “putrid” and unfit for aquaculture. “This stands in stark contrast to the U.S. catfish farms which are subject to rigid environmental and health standards, ensuring a safe, healthy and sustainable product,” said Barlow.
The U.S. catfish industry fully supports fair trade for seafood products, but not at the expense of food safety and the health of the American consumer.
Catfish Farmers of America
Taylor Webb, 601-206-1600
catfishjournalth@bellsouth.net
Videos available here
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Because consumer confidence in safe and healthy seafood is critical, the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry maintains its support for USDA inspections.
U.S. consumers currently believe that their seafood is subject to the same rigorous inspection standards as those imposed on meat and poultry products, but current FDA inspection programs are hardly adequate to handle the nation’s demand for seafood. As a result, the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Industry supports Congress’s recommendation to transfer catfish inspection responsibilities to the USDA and its Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).
“Aquaculture is agriculture, plain and simple; our catfish are grown by farmers, not fisherman,” said Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute. “Because of this, it simply makes sense that our industry be regulated by the appropriate administration.”
Seafood consumption in the United States now exceeds 4.9 billion pounds annually, and of this amount, over 83% are imported. Under current FDA regulations, more than 99% of seafood imports do not undergo inspection. Furthermore, only a fraction of that amount is tested for contamination with illegal drugs and chemicals. Specifically, from May 2008 to May 2009, 14 Vietnamese pangasius (basa/tra/swai) shipments were refused entry by the FDA.
“Catfish farmers want consumers of our product to be protected by the one food safety system that is actually working and instills confidence – USDA inspection,” said Joey Lowery, president of Catfish Farmers of America (CFA).
The meat, eggs and poultry that U.S. consumers eat are all subject to rigorous and continuous inspection by FSIS, regardless of whether they are produced domestically or imported. All production and processing practices are strictly and uniformly regulated, ensuring consumers that what they feed their families is safe and of the highest quality.
According to Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, who led a delegation of Committee members to Vietnam in December 2008, the water Vietnamese catfish are raised in is “putrid” and unfit for aquaculture. “This stands in stark contrast to the U.S. catfish farms which are subject to rigid environmental and health standards, ensuring a safe, healthy and sustainable product,” said Barlow.
The U.S. catfish industry fully supports fair trade for seafood products, but not at the expense of food safety and the health of the American consumer.
Catfish Farmers of America
Taylor Webb, 601-206-1600
catfishjournalth@bellsouth.net
Videos available here
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Arkansas is first to issue funds from the 2008 Aquaculture Grant Program
Ted McNulty, Director of Aquaculture at the Arkansas Agriculture Department, announced that the federal stimulus funds from the 2008 Aquaculture Grant Program were mailed to Arkansas fish farmers on July 20th. Mr. Robert Araiza and his staff at the Arkansas Forestry Commission are to be commended for getting these checks out in record time. Arkansas is the first State to issue the funds from the 2008 AGP and some states are over a month away from releasing those funds.
Bus Tour of a USA Catfish Farm
Uncle Cat invite you to take a virtual bus tour of a USA Catfish Farm at:
http://usacatfish.com/bustour/index.shtml
http://usacatfish.com/bustour/index.shtml
June 2009 Catfish Feed Deliveries Down 21 Percent from Last Year
Total catfish feed delivered in the United States during June was 96,580 tons, down 21 percent from June 2008, but up 62 percent from the previous month. Foodsize catfish feed delivered totaled 93,389 tons, down 23 percent from the corresponding month a year ago. Feed delivered for fingerlings and broodfish totaled 3,191 tons, up 82 percent from the corresponding month a year ago.
June feed delivered to Mississippi catfish growers for foodsize fish totaled 45,116 tons, down 29 percent from last year. Mississippi accounted for 48 percent of the total foodsize catfish feed delivered to U.S. farmers.
The other major States with catfish feed deliveries for foodsize fish in June and their comparison to the previous year were Alabama with 29,018 tons, down 16 percent; Arkansas with 10,882 tons, down 27 percent; and Louisiana with 1,822 tons, down 8 percent.
Released July 21, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Feed Deliveries" call Charles Butler at 601-965-4575, office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.
June feed delivered to Mississippi catfish growers for foodsize fish totaled 45,116 tons, down 29 percent from last year. Mississippi accounted for 48 percent of the total foodsize catfish feed delivered to U.S. farmers.
The other major States with catfish feed deliveries for foodsize fish in June and their comparison to the previous year were Alabama with 29,018 tons, down 16 percent; Arkansas with 10,882 tons, down 27 percent; and Louisiana with 1,822 tons, down 8 percent.
Released July 21, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Feed Deliveries" call Charles Butler at 601-965-4575, office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.
Catfish Processing in June Down 9 Percent from Last Year
Farm-raised catfish processed during June 2009 totaled 39.2 million pounds round weight, down 9 percent from June 2008. The average price paid to producers was 76.3 cents per pound for June 2009, up 0.1 cent from last month but 3.1 cents below a year ago.
Net pounds of processed fish sold during June 2009 totaled 19.0 million pounds, down 12 percent from the comparable month in 2008. The total end of the month inventory increased 2 percent from last month but was down 15 percent from a year ago. Sales of fresh fish, at 6.95 million pounds, were down 14 percent from June 2008 and represented 37 percent of total sales. Frozen fish sales, at 12.1 million pounds, were down 10 percent from a year ago and accounted for the remaining 63 percent of
total fish sales. Sales of whole fish represented 17 percent of the total fish sold, fillets accounted for 62 percent, and the remaining 21 percent were mostly steaks, nuggets, and value added products.
The June 2009 average price received by processors for total fresh fish was $2.47 per pound, down 5 cents from last year. Prices for fresh whole fish were $1.64 per pound, down 4 cents from June 2008. Prices for fresh fillets were up 14 cents from a year ago at $3.22 per pound. Total frozen fish averaged $2.53 per pound, up 7 cents from June 2008. Prices for frozen whole dressed fish were up 4 cents at $2.19 and frozen fillets at $2.91 per pound were down 1 cent from a year ago.
Freshwater imports for consumption of Ictalurus spp., Pangasius spp., and other catfish of the order Siluriformes for May 2009 totaled 11.6 million pounds, up 14 percent from the amount imported in May 2008. Imports were from Cambodia, China, Guyana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Ictalurus spp. imports totaled 1.66 million pounds, which were from China, Guyana, Mexico, Spain, and Thailand.
Fresh boneless catfish fillet exports totaled 79.1 thousand pounds, with 37.4 thousand pounds going to Canada and the rest going to China, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom. Exports of frozen, boneless catfish fillets reported for May 2009 totaled 14.2 thousand pounds, going to the Bahamas, China-Taipei, Guatemala, Kuwait, the Netherlands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Released July 20, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Processing" call Chris Hawthorn at (202) 720-0585, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
Net pounds of processed fish sold during June 2009 totaled 19.0 million pounds, down 12 percent from the comparable month in 2008. The total end of the month inventory increased 2 percent from last month but was down 15 percent from a year ago. Sales of fresh fish, at 6.95 million pounds, were down 14 percent from June 2008 and represented 37 percent of total sales. Frozen fish sales, at 12.1 million pounds, were down 10 percent from a year ago and accounted for the remaining 63 percent of
total fish sales. Sales of whole fish represented 17 percent of the total fish sold, fillets accounted for 62 percent, and the remaining 21 percent were mostly steaks, nuggets, and value added products.
The June 2009 average price received by processors for total fresh fish was $2.47 per pound, down 5 cents from last year. Prices for fresh whole fish were $1.64 per pound, down 4 cents from June 2008. Prices for fresh fillets were up 14 cents from a year ago at $3.22 per pound. Total frozen fish averaged $2.53 per pound, up 7 cents from June 2008. Prices for frozen whole dressed fish were up 4 cents at $2.19 and frozen fillets at $2.91 per pound were down 1 cent from a year ago.
Freshwater imports for consumption of Ictalurus spp., Pangasius spp., and other catfish of the order Siluriformes for May 2009 totaled 11.6 million pounds, up 14 percent from the amount imported in May 2008. Imports were from Cambodia, China, Guyana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Ictalurus spp. imports totaled 1.66 million pounds, which were from China, Guyana, Mexico, Spain, and Thailand.
Fresh boneless catfish fillet exports totaled 79.1 thousand pounds, with 37.4 thousand pounds going to Canada and the rest going to China, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom. Exports of frozen, boneless catfish fillets reported for May 2009 totaled 14.2 thousand pounds, going to the Bahamas, China-Taipei, Guatemala, Kuwait, the Netherlands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Released July 20, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Processing" call Chris Hawthorn at (202) 720-0585, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
Intent of the catfish industry is consumer safety
While many accusations have been leveled at the domestic catfish industry and its pursuit of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspections, the intent of the U.S. catfish industry has always been very clear - consumer safety.
U.S. consumers currently believe that their seafood is subject to the same rigorous inspection standards as those imposed on meat and poultry products. However, that is not the case under the existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, and the domestic catfish industry is dedicated to fighting for increased consumer food safety.
Seafood consumption in the United States now exceeds 4.9 billion pounds annually. Of this amount, over 83% is imported, and less than one percent of our seafood imports ever sees an inspector. Furthermore, only a fraction of that amount is ever tested for contamination from illegal drugs and chemicals.
It is of great concern that inspections by the Canadian government along the U.S. border and testing by the agriculture departments of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi have found dangerous and illegal drugs and chemicals in Asian fish imports that had already been cleared by the FDA. To say that the FDA leaves U.S. consumers vulnerable is an understatement.
The first and foremost responsibility of the elected officials of this country is to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. The assurance that the food we eat is safe should be an integral part of that responsibility. Taking action to eliminate any threat to the safety of the American public, including food safety, should be non-negotiable and off-the-table in any political arena.
Let's hope our elected officials do the right thing.
Joey Lowery
President, Catfish Farmers of America
Indianola, Miss.
U.S. consumers currently believe that their seafood is subject to the same rigorous inspection standards as those imposed on meat and poultry products. However, that is not the case under the existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, and the domestic catfish industry is dedicated to fighting for increased consumer food safety.
Seafood consumption in the United States now exceeds 4.9 billion pounds annually. Of this amount, over 83% is imported, and less than one percent of our seafood imports ever sees an inspector. Furthermore, only a fraction of that amount is ever tested for contamination from illegal drugs and chemicals.
It is of great concern that inspections by the Canadian government along the U.S. border and testing by the agriculture departments of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi have found dangerous and illegal drugs and chemicals in Asian fish imports that had already been cleared by the FDA. To say that the FDA leaves U.S. consumers vulnerable is an understatement.
The first and foremost responsibility of the elected officials of this country is to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. The assurance that the food we eat is safe should be an integral part of that responsibility. Taking action to eliminate any threat to the safety of the American public, including food safety, should be non-negotiable and off-the-table in any political arena.
Let's hope our elected officials do the right thing.
Joey Lowery
President, Catfish Farmers of America
Indianola, Miss.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
USDA catfish inspections: Vietnamese fish to be included?
Last year, the federal Farm Bill included a provision that would authorize the federal government to shift the inspection of “catfish” from the Food and Drug Administration to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The question has been: Will pangasius catfish imported from Vietnam be subject to those new USDA inspections? The decision of Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, is expected soon. However, according to the Associated Press on July 15th, "a draft recommendation being circulated at the agency calls for the Vietnamese fish to be included."
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