US firms praise ITC shrimp decision, say appeal unlikely

US shrimp importers are rejoicing in their victory after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) voted against countervailing duties for seven major shrimp supplying nations -- and they are saying consumers are the real winners.

"It was the appropriate decision and, ultimately, the final victors are the American consumers," SeaPort President and National Fisheries Institute (NFI) Shrimp Council Chairman Bill Dresser told IntraFish. "Now we're going to have the possibility of having shrimp be an affordable protein again in the near future." 

There is the possibility of an appeal, Dresser said, but added that from what he understands, it "is highly unlikely" and would take two years or more.

"My initial feelings are that some of these judges finally woke up and really looked at the truth, the real facts," Central Seaway Vice President Nate Torch told IntraFish.