Ron Sparks, a candidate for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, released a statement Tuesday in response to House Bill 444 regarding the regulation of seafood country of origin.
“It should be known that it was an Alabama Democrat 17 years ago who led the charge to save the catfish and seafood industry in this state,” Sparks said. “At a time when foreign companies were aggressively trying to export unregulated, inferior agricultural products to our state, I did not wait on the federal government for a response. When this issue came our way, I understood what needed to be done to prevent it and used the full authority of this office to stop these companies and foreign nations from unloading a single pallet of their product at our docks.
“I knew then, as I do now, that protecting and saving the catfish and seafood industry—and the consumers who purchase these products—was the most critical focus for me and my department. That is why I pushed for and implemented country-of-origin labeling, stopped foreign products from entering Alabama markets, and went to Vietnam to ensure my instructions were being carried out correctly. I left no stone unturned to guarantee success.
“I support our farmers and protect Alabama consumers. I have never shied away from doing the right thing for our industries and every Alabamian across our state. They know I have their back.”
