Oyster Ban

I remember reading a thread a few weeks ago about a potential ban on oysters during warm months. I got this email from David Vitter - just wanted to share:

Dear Friend,



I wanted to share with you some good news for those of us who enjoy Louisiana oysters and for the Louisiana oyster industry.


The Food and Drug Administration had previously announced its intent to implement a draconian rule that would have banned raw oysters from the Gulf for more than half the year. Under intense pressure from me and other members of the House and Senate from the Gulf region, the FDA backed off and instead announced they would conduct a study on how to prevent illnesses from oysters before implementing any new regulations.


This is a major win for oyster consumers and the oyster industry, which supports thousands of jobs. I am hopeful that the FDA will focus on what it should have been doing before – educating at-risk consumers of the potential health problems. A regulation that would have led to many small operations going out of business was not and will not ever be the answer.


Even with this good news, I will not give up the fight. I will continue pushing to pass my bill, the Gulf Oyster Jobs Protection Act. This bill would stop the FDA from making any regulation that would result in a complete ban on consumption and sales of raw oysters. The FDA may decide to take a similar course after the pending study, so I will remain on guard against any ban that would decimate Louisiana’s oyster industry and stop us from enjoying one of Louisiana’s best known and loved seafood products.


Sincerely,

David Vitter
U.S. Senator