Russian crab ban could have long term unintended consequences (Opinion)
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Opinion] by Les Hodges Sept 8, 2014
Les Hodges publishes the Vantage crab newsletter for his customers, and has shared this opinion about the possible impact of a ban on Russian King crab.
Hmmm- had any Russian vodka lately? The Obama administration placed a Russian vodka ban in late March as a reaction to the Russian actions in the Ukraine. While not significant to hurt the Russian economy, it was a visible shot across the bow. Other sanctions were put in place by the U.S. and EU and Mr. Putin reacted by placing a ban on most seafood from those countries. The U.S. seafood export value to Russia is relatively little in comparison to U.S. imports of Russian seafood directly and through third countries such as China. The EU countries took the brunt of the the ban.
Last week, a majority of the large Alaska processors took an initiative through direct communication and their legislators to ask the Obama administration to place a ban on all Russian seafood.
It is our opinion that this ban would have serious unintended consequences and damage to the infrastructure of the U.S. Seafood industry....
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