(R-Maine)
Our state greatly depends on and benefits from the 3,500 miles of coastline that has served as an ideal incubator for the expansion of Maine’s aquaculture industry. Last year, the total economic activity generated from the industry state-wide was over $130 million, providing more than 1,000 jobs for hard-working Mainers. In order to preserve and protect this vital industry, it is imperative that Congress institutes a set of national standards that will prevent widespread disease and outbreak in our aquatic animals.
I introduced legislation that is critical to protecting and improving the health of our nation’s aquaculture industry, including shellfish, finfish, and fish hatcheries, not only in Maine, but nationwide. The National Aquatic Animal Health Act of 2007 will begin the process of creating a national infrastructure that will attract investment to our aquaculture industry, protect the valuable stocks of aquaculture farmers from disease, and create a flexible partnership between the federal government, state agencies, and industry groups that monitor seafood stocks.
The National Aquatic Animal Health Act of 2007 will create a program that is modeled after similar animal monitoring programs already in place at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The program will involve a shared partnership between willing states and industry groups, overseen by APHIS and a governing body made up of representatives from federal, state, and industry groups. The legislation also includes a federal to state industry partnerships to help all participating in a larger body known as the General Advisory Council (GAC). States also have the option to join , giving each state t he opportunity to choose whether or not to benefit from the hard working individuals at APHIS and their expertise in these sorts of disease prevention programs.
The funding for this program, set at $15 million a year for the first two years, will include an account for possible indemnity payments to industry forced to eliminate their stocks, as well as funding for administrative, testing, and operational costs. Half of the funding pool in the first two years would be dedicated for indemnity funding with industry match as appropriate for each program. Indemnity funds would be held in a non-lapsing fund to accumulate from year to year, and be available in the case of losses due to stock eradication orders. The indemnification schedule would be negotiated among the numerous partners.
Best Management Practices would be established and participating entities would be required to abide by them to qualify for funding. Half of the funds would be focused on veterinary services, testing costs, research, and other professional services to aid the development and operation of on-the-ground control, eradication, and certification programs as well as education and outreach programs.
This legislation is the right step forward for one of our most promising industries. I look forward to my Senate colleagues joining me in support and eventual passage of this bill that will not only preserve Maine’s aquaculture industry, but also ensure its security, allowing it to expand and thrive in to the future.
