The Key West Citizen

Tariff On Shrimp

Sometime this month Washington will take official action on a matter which is of vital importance to Key West. It is the matter of a protective tariff for the nation's shrimp industry, and thanks to the untiring efforts of United States Senator George Smathers a week of hearings will be held before the Tariff Commission starting January 9.

According to William R. Neblett, executive director of the National Shrimp Congress, who made the principal argument on behalf of the industry in favor of controls last March before the Tariff Commission, the shrimp industry is today in dire need of some governmental control whether in the form of a protective tariff or quotas or both.

The Citizen feels that there are justifiable reasons for these hearings, for the economy of Key West is directly affected. Although during 1960 local shrimpers broke even because of the finding of new shrimp beds, it is wholly possible that this may accelerate foreign importations unless proper legislation is enacted, according to Neblett.

The shrimp industry year after year has been compelled to compete with foreign importations, and the competition has very frequently fluctuated the prices on the nation's markets. It is true that so far no regulatory legislation has been enacted to protect any type of sea food, but the shrimp industry as a whole would benefit materially in its economy if some control results from the hearings. To be sure, the Tariff Commission can only make recommendations to the two legislative bodies, and its recommendations will be based on the testimony of witnesses representing the industry.

It is hoped that some action will be taken by the commission for consideration by the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, so that some formal action will be taken by officialdom to save the industry from the slough of despond.