6 



very well aware, Mr. Chairman, of FDA indicates that it is a fine 

 agency, but that it lacks the resources which it needs to deal with 

 all the many responsibilities which it has in inspecting and regu- 

 lating about 25 percent of the United States' Gross National Prod- 

 uct. 



In any event, one of the things we will have to do is see to it that 

 as the proposal goes forward, we assure that it has not only the 

 strength that it needs to be properly enforced, but also the re- 

 sources, both the money and the people that are required to carry 

 out the proper responsibilities that the law imposes. It is critical 

 that FDA's proposal be published soon so that all of us — the Con- 

 gress, the industry, and consumers — will have a chance to evaluate 

 and respond. The sooner it is done, the sooner we will have in place 

 a stronger, better, and more effective seafood safety program. The 

 sooner the better. 



Mr. Chairman, our committees, this great Committee on Mer- 

 chant Marine and Fisheries and the Committee on Energy and 

 Commerce, have worked together over the years on this matter, 

 and I believe that we can again work profitably. I have instructed 

 our staff to work closely with the very able staff of the Committee 

 on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, and I want you to know that I 

 look forward to working with you, the Committee, Chairman 

 Studds, you, Mrs. Unsoeld, and the members of this Committee to 

 accomplish an important goal: The assurance that seafood, shell- 

 fish, and similar resources are fully safe from the time that they 

 are caught until the time they have reached the plate of the con- 

 sumer. 



This is an important hearing, Mr. Chairman. I thank you for 

 your invitation. The issue is, as I have said, an important one, and 

 I believe that our two committees working together as we have in 

 the past can bring forward a good resolution, both legislative and 

 regulatory, to address a significant problem. I am hopeful that the 

 administration will have learned from the misfortunes of a prior 

 administration which did not have the wisdom to work with us as 

 they indeed should have about the joys and the virtues and the 

 happiness and success of working with our two committees as we 

 work on this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



[The statement of Mr. Dingell can be found at the end of the 

 hearing.] 



Mr. Manton. Thank you. Chairman Dingell. It is indeed an 

 honor and a privilege to have you here today. As you indicated, you 

 spent many of your early working days in Congress as a member of 

 the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. I think much of 

 the legislation that the full Committee is associated with, was your 

 work product. So it is indeed a great coincidence that we will be 

 able to work together to see to it that the very important issue of 

 seafood safety for all of our consumers is timely met. I look for- 

 ward to working with you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Dingell. Well, our two committees have many shared inter- 

 ests, shared members, great friendships, and I have the memory, as 

 you have observed, Mr. Chairman, of very happy associations in 

 this Committee. I want to say that when I watched to see what is 

 happening on the Floor, I always note that this Committee is doing 

 a good job of protecting the legislation which we enacted in the old 



