- 8 - 

 uncertainties about the health effects of particular chemicals 

 and about the extent of contamination. We generally agree with 

 the NAS on these points. As I will discuss later in my 

 testimony, we recently held a national conference on chemical 

 contaminants in seafood to pool knowledge with State officials, 

 scientists, the industry, consumers, and others on chemical 

 contaminants in seafood. Statements made at this conference 

 did not differ from the foregoing conclusions. 



II. THE REGULATORY PROGRAM FOR SEAFOOD 



A. Overview 



FDA operates a $40.5 million annual program for seafood. This 

 sum reflects an increase of over 60 percent from the $25 

 million provided by the Congress in fiscal year 1990. The 

 essential elements of the seafood program are: (1) domestic 

 inspections of seafood processors and related commercial 

 entities; (2) sampling and analyzing fish and fish products for 

 the presence of toxins, chemicals, and other potential hazards; 

 (3) examination of imported seafood offered for entry into the 

 United States; (4) negotiation of international agreements with 

 countries that export to the United States; (5) research in 

 support of the Agency's regulatory mission (for example, 

 development of methods to detect pathogens, toxins, and 

 chemical contaminants in fish); (6) Federal/State cooperative 



