Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (MD-01), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies released the following statement in response to the Senate’s passage of language, included at his insistence, to contain the invasive blue catfish species in the Chesapeake Bay. The agreement sets aside $3 million to award grants specifically for the processing of invasive, wild caught catfish, as well as making that wild caught catfish available more widely for federal purchase.
Statement From Congressman Harris:
“I am pleased to see that the Senate passed language, included at my direction, to help establish catfish processing facilities which will incentivize the fishing and processing of wild caught, blue catfish. This, along with other language included at my request to allow for wider federal purchase of wild caught catfish, will go a long way to help contain the invasive blue catfish and restore a balanced, healthy ecosystem to the Chesapeake Bay.”