The chairman and members of the House Natural Resources Committee have heard a strong case from StarKist Samoa of why the federal government needs to protect the local canneries from unfair foreign competition.
StarKist officials led by General Manager Sangdong Kwon gave a presentation for the CODEL which covered negative impacts of federal action on the two canneries.
General Manager of Samoa Tuna Processors Faafoi Palepua and STP official Kalili Hunt were also present at the meeting, which was closed to the press.
The StarKist officials discussed how the minimum wage law passed by Congress in 2007 has curtailed local employment at the canneries, they highlighted the reduction in fishing days and increase in costs to American fishing boats under the new South Pacific Tuna Treaty, the impact of US imposed regulations on fishing in the high seas, how StarKist is dependent on the continuation of tax credits made available under the 30 (A) provision which expires next year.
They also explained why Congress should not give in to other US canneries which are trying to water down the Buy America rule for the School Lunch Program and military. Also discussed was the reduction in fishing grounds caused by the Pacific Island Remote Monument
Emerging from the closed door meeting, Committee Chairman Rob Bishop summed up their discussions with cannery officials.
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The group’s last stop this morning before departing for CNMI, was the VA Clinic in Tafuna where they met with staff and also veterans and dependents.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata, a member of the CODEL, is pushing to have the LBJ Hospital VA certified so it can receive reimbursements for the treatment of veterans residing in the territory.
