Sw Louisiana News

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) has called for relief for Louisiana's crawfish industry following a severe drought in 2023 and a recent freeze that has devastated production. In a letter addressed to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, Congressman Higgins highlighted the significant impact of these natural disasters on the state's crawfish industry.

According to the letter, the 2023 drought led to a drastic decrease in crawfish production across approximately 45,000 acres of ponds. This already dire situation was further compounded by a recent freeze event, exacerbating the challenges faced by farmers. The Louisiana State University's Agriculture Center estimated potential losses to be nearly $140 million, which represents a substantial portion of the state's $230 million crawfish industry.

"The severity of the situation cannot be understated," Congressman Higgins wrote in his letter. He emphasized the urgent need for stronger import protections for crawfish, stating, "Strict standards for these imports are essential to guarantee fair competition and safeguard consumer health." He further explained that these standards ensure that imported products meet the same safety and quality requirements as domestic products. Implementing high standards for imports would also promote global adherence to best practices in aquaculture, benefitting both producers and consumers by fostering a culture of excellence and safety in the industry.

In his closing remarks, Congressman Higgins called for robust measures to maintain the highest standards for all aquaculture products entering the United States. This plea for relief builds upon Congressman Higgins' successful efforts in securing assistance for Louisiana's crawfish industry in 2021 through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) following a freeze. The implementation of this assistance occurred in May 2021.

The letter, which can be read in its entirety, outlines the devastating impact of the drought and freeze on Louisiana's crawfish industry and advocates for stronger import protections and high standards for aquaculture products entering the country. Congressman Higgins' call for relief highlights the urgent need to support the affected farmers and safeguard the future of Louisiana's crawfish industry.