U.S. Senator Katie Britt Applauds $20M Purchase of Surplus Catfish Products, Thanks Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today celebrated an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) to purchase up to $20 million worth of farm-raised catfish products. The announcement comes after Senators Britt, Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and several of their Senate colleagues sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on behalf of the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry.

"Alabama's catfish industry is a major economic driver for our state. This $20 million purchase by USDA will provide much-needed relief to hardworking producers and the families who rely on them," said Senator Britt. "I'm grateful to Secretary Rollins for her commitment to strengthening our catfish industry, supporting rural economies, and ensuring Alabama's producers can continue to provide high-quality U.S. catfish to families across the country."

In Alabama, the catfish industry accounts for around 33% of all farm-raised catfish in the nation, employing more than 2,400 people, and contributing nearly $92 million to the state's economy.

Senator Britt is proud to support the U.S. catfish industry and has consistently fought to protect domestic catfish markets by encouraging the purchase of surplus catfish products. Senator Britt is also a strong supporter of the Cormorant Relief Act, to allow catfish farmers to fight predatory cormorant populations.

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