Taxpayers on the Hook for Multiple Unnecessary Catfish Inspection Programs

On Friday, May 31, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance urged the Senate to end the government’s duplicate catfish inspection program, which wastes $30 million in taxpayer funds annually. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration already inspects imported catfish, a food it labels as “low risk” for contamination. However, as a payoff to the domestic catfish industry, language was added to the pork-laden 2008 Farm Bill to add a second inspection under the purview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  According to the Government Accountability Office and the USDA, preparing for the program’s implementation cost taxpayers $19.8 million in fiscal year (FY) 2012 – all without a single inspection. Similar amounts were likely spent in FY 2013, according to Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). TPA applauds Senators McCain and Shaheen, as well as the 11 other senators from both parties, who are leading the fight to repeal this provision. Doing so today would save taxpayers $165 million in future spending, according to the Government Accountability Office.”  Visit http://repealcatfish.com/ for more information on the USDA’s catfish inspection program.

Read full release below:

May 31, 2013

Taxpayers on the Hook for Multiple Unnecessary Catfish Inspection Programs

Broad Bipartisan Support Exists for Eliminating Waste, Saving Taxpayers Up to $30 Million Annually

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance is urging the Senate to end the government’s duplicate catfish inspection program, which wastes $30 million in taxpayer funds annually. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration already inspects imported catfish, a food it labels as “low risk” for contamination. However, as a payoff to the domestic catfish industry, language was added to the pork-laden 2008 Farm Bill to add a second inspection under the purview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“The redundant catfish inspection program is one instance where President Obama and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in both houses agree that taxpayer funds are being wasted,” said Taxpayers Protection Alliance president David Williams. “Yet, even removing the most obvious waste has been an ongoing, 5-year process as entrenched interests fight every step.”

According to the Government Accountability Office and the USDA, preparing for the program’s implementation cost taxpayers $19.8 million in fiscal year (FY) 2012 – all without a single inspection. Similar amounts were likely spent in FY 2013, according to Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

“TPA applauds Senators McCain and Shaheen, as well as the 11 other senators from both parties, who are leading the fight to repeal this provision,” said Williams. “Doing so today would save taxpayers $165 million in future spending, according to the Government Accountability Office.”

Visit http://repealcatfish.com/ for more information on the USDA’s catfish inspection program.