Tuesday, March 15, 2022

International Alaska’s congressional delegation commends ban on Russian seafood Alaska News Source by Dave Leval - March 11, 2022 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Friday banning certain imports from Russia, including seafood, a move welcomed by Alaska’s congressional delegation. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2022/03/12/alaskas-congressional-delegation-calls-commends-ban-russian-seafood/ Keynote to address the impacts of supply-chain challenges, inflation on 2022 economic outlook Seafood Source by Madelyn Kearns - March 13, 2022 Since the early part of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive global economic upheaval, and continued disruption is certain for the seafood industry in 2022 as a result of rampant inflation and an accretion of supply-chain challenges. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/business-finance/keynote-to-address-the-impacts-of-supply-chain-challenges-inflation-on-2022-economic-outlook 4 Questions (And Answers) Regarding the Ban on Russian Seafood Imports Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - March 15, 2022 On March 11 President Joe Biden declared an Executive Order prohibiting the importation of “fish, seafood and preparations thereof” from the Russian Federation. The ban was part of a move to hold Russia accountable following the country’s attack on Ukraine. As SeafoodNews reported, the ban was welcomed by Alaska lawmakers, who have been calling for the U.S. to take action in response to Russia’s ban on U.S. seafood imports dating back to 2014. And some companies already took action prior to the Executive Order announcement late last week . Yet others still have a lot of questions about the ban and how it will impact business. While there is still a lot up in the air, we’re doing our best to answer as many questions as possible. What seafood items are actually banned? According to the Executive Order, and Russian Federation origin “fish, seafood and preparations thereof.” The U.S. Department of the Treasury goes into a little bit more detail by listing “articles defined at Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings.” Included is 0301.11.00 to 0301.99.03; 0302.11.00 to 0302.99.00; 0303.11.00 to 0303.99.00; 0304.31.00 to 0304.99.91; 0305.20.20 to 0305.79.00; 0306.11.00 to 0306.99.01; 0307.11.00 to 0307.99.03; 0308.11.00 to 0308.90.01; 0309.10.05 to 0309.90.90; 1603.00.10; 1603.00.90; 1604.11.20 to 1604.32.40; 1605.10.05 to 1605.69.00; 0508.00.0000; 2301.20.0010; 2310.20.0090; 1504.10.20 to 1504.20.60; and 2106.90.9998. The Department of the Treasury notes that the ban on imports includes “any subsequent revisions to the list of HTSUS classifications.” Is seafood from Russia that has been processed in China part of the ban? The Department of the Treasury defines “Russian Federation origin” as “goods produced, manufactured, extracted, or processed in the Russian Federation.” A fishery product with an origin from the Russian Federation is excluded if it has been “incorporated or substantially transformed into a foreign made product.” The interpretation of this is mixed. According to Undercurrent News, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) believes the interpretation is that Russian fish processed in China becomes a product of China. However, they reportedly made note that this is not legal advice. Meanwhile, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan said that Russian product sent to China for processing is subject to the blockade. When does the import ban on Russian seafood go into place? The importation of Russian seafood products that were contracted prior to the March 11 Executive Order are authorized through March 25, 2022. The Department of the Treasury also notes that the Executive Order does not “prohibit transactions such as the unwinding of contracts or other business-related activities by U.S. persons to comply with the import ban.” What if you already had a shipment in place prior to the Executive Order? U.S. persons are allowed to sell or re-direct these shipments. The Office of Foreign Assets Control may also issue specific licenses on a case-by-case basis to authorize shipments after March 25. You can read the Executive Order regarding the ban on seafood imports from Russia here. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1220978/4-Questions-And-Answers-Regarding-the-Ban-on-Russian-Seafood-Imports Labeling and Marketing Finding the right message could give seafood sellers a leg up As the first global seafood trade show of 2022 approaches, Stirling research highlights the differences in seafood marketing messages across the world, and how some are more successful than others. The Fish Site - March 12, 2022 Researchers from the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling and partners studied logos, certification and claims on exhibitor booths at seafood shows in China (Guangzhou, Qingdao and Shanghai) Europe (Brussels), and the US (Boston) during 2019. https://thefishsite.com/articles/finding-the-right-message-could-give-seafood-sellers-a-leg-up FYI’s Alaska Symphony of Seafood returns with new categories, same innovative zeal Seafood Source by Jeffrey Spear - March 13, 2022 Since 1994, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) has celebrated innovative value-added products made from Alaska seafood through its Alaska Symphony of Seafood Awards. After going on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition has returned for the 2021-2022 season – with some additional flair. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/foodservice-retail/alaska-symphony-of-seafood-returns-with-new-categories-same-innovative-zeal Pacific Seafood Processors Association 1900 W Emerson Place Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206.281.1667 E-mail: admin@pspafish.net; Website: www.pspafish.net Our office days/hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. *Inclusion of a news article, report, or other document in this email does not imply PSPA support or endorsement of the information or opinion expressed in the document.