U.S. Senator Katie Britt Leads Colleagues in Letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Urging Action Against Threats Posed by Yellow Catfish Virus

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) led several of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting that USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conduct a formal risk assessment to assess potential threats posed by Yellow Catfish Virus (YcCV) to our domestic catfish industry.

YcCV is an emerging, highly contagious virus first identified during a period of widespread outbreaks in Chinese aquaculture operations in 2020. This virus is highly transmissible among catfish species and more importantly, emerging research has demonstrated that the virus can remain viable through the freezing and thawing process. This recent research development indicates that potential pathways for introduction to the domestic market could exist and an assessment to determine what these pathways look like is necessary.

The Senators write, in part, that "Emerging research indicates that YcCV is highly transmissible among catfish species and is associated with mortality rates approaching 90 percent in infected populations. The virus has demonstrated the ability to remain viable through freezing and thawing processes, creating a credible pathway for introduction to the domestic market via imported fish products. These characteristics present a serious biosecurity concern for global aquaculture and warrant immediate attention from U.S. regulators."

Additionally, when assessing fish health, this letter encourages APHIS to place the burden of proof on the exporting countries. Exporting countries should be required to demonstrate that their products are free from YcCV and other viruses, like the more well-known Channel Catfish Virus, before sending product to the United States.

In the letter, the Senators request that "APHIS prioritize a formal risk assessment of YcCV and CCV, including evaluation of potential pathways for entry, establishment, and spread within the United States," and note that "The mounting evidence surrounding YcCV and CCV underscores the need to ensure that emerging aquatic animal diseases receive appropriate attention and resources commensurate with their risk."

The catfish industry is an integral part of the broader agricultural economy in Alabama, which consistently ranks among the top catfish producing states in the country. This industry supports Alabama jobs, contributes to rural economies, and provides nutritious food for American families from coast to coast.

"The Catfish Farmers of America strongly supports Senator Britt's call for science-based action from USDA to address the serious threat posed by Yellow Catfish Virus and Channel Catfish Virus. The evidence is clear: YcCV is highly transmissible, capable of surviving freezing and thawing, and represents a credible pathway for disease introduction through imported products.

"Our farmers work every day to produce safe, sustainable, and high-quality American catfish, and they should not be forced to shoulder the burden of proving the absence of foreign disease risks. USDA must require exporting countries to demonstrate that their products are free of these pathogens before entering our market. Protecting rural economies, American jobs, and our nation's food security demands nothing less. We appreciate Senator Britt's leadership and urge APHIS to act quickly to safeguard U.S. aquaculture from these emerging viral threats," said Chad Causey, Executive Vice President, Catfish Farmers of America.

"We appreciate Senator Britt's steadfast support of Alabama farmers. This is just another example of her going to bat for American agriculture and, specifically, the Alabama producers and rural communities that rely on farm-raised catfish," said Jimmy Parnell, Alabama Farmers Federation President.

"On behalf of the entire catfish industry, particularly those here in Alabama, I want to thank Senator Britt, Senator Tuberville, and their colleagues for raising this important issue to the Secretary," said Sid Nelson, Chairman of the Catfish Division of the Alabama Farmers Federation. "This disease would be devastating to the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry, and we must be vigilant in implementing safeguards to prevent it being introduced here."

Senator Britt remarked, "Secretary Rollins has been a tireless champion for American agriculture and our nation's rural communities. I am thankful for her strong leadership and her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our domestic producers. I look forward to continuing to work together to promote food security in Alabama and across the United States."

Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Tommy Tuberville (R. Ala.) also signed onto this letter.

You can read the full text here.

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