Colleagues:
I have a couple of questions for which I'm in need of background information to respond to a Member of the U.S. Congress in search of answers. These questions relate to food safety concerns for cultured seafood (aquaculture, fish farming, etc.).
a) Can anyone point me to literature or an assessment evaluating any use of red meat in feedstock for aquaculture operations (domestic U.S. and/or foreign)? For what species, if any, might red meats be a component of feedstock? The broader question relates to whether anyone can point me to any evaluation or analysis of risk for BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) from aquaculture practice?
b) I know the United States has approved 6 pharmaceutical compounds for use with cultured fish destined for human consumption. I'm seeking information on numbers and identities of pharmaceutical compounds approved for similar use by countries that export aquacultural produce to the United States. What compounds are approved for which species? Are there any countries exporting aquacultural produce to the United States that do not have specified or detailed restrictions on the use of pharmaceutical compounds on aquaculture produce destined for human consumption? I need to get factual information on how foreign exporters of aquaculture products regulate this use of pharmaceutical compounds.
I'm particularly seeking citations to any background pieces that may already have addressed these issues, as well as the facts on which I can proceed with my analysis to assist Congress. Thanks in advance for any response and assistance on this query. Please respond directly to me; all responses will be confidential.
Gene Buck, senior analyst
Congressional Research Service
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