U.S. reviewing Guyana’s bid to lift catfish export ban
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service is reviewing Guyana’s most recent submissions as part of ongoing efforts to lift the ban on catfish exports to the U.S.
According to U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, the Government of Guyana submitted additional documentation within the past month in response to a set of follow-up queries from U.S. authorities.
“The Government of Guyana has responded quite comprehensively to the latest round of questions that we have,” Ambassador Theriot stated on Monday. “The whole point of the current ban is to ensure that everything entering the United States is safe for consumption. It’s all about safety and phytosanitary standards.”
Guyana was among several countries affected by the 2017 ban, which was imposed due to concerns related to food safety. Since then, authorities have been working to meet the strict import requirements set by the USDA.
Ambassador Theriot noted that once the USDA concludes its review, it will determine whether further information is needed or if the restrictions can be lifted.
“They will either ask additional questions or decide to lift the ban,” she explained. The current administration has expressed hope that the eight-year-old restriction will soon be resolved, paving the way for the resumption of catfish exports to the U.S. market.
