(8111113er [If the ?nite]?! gtaten mealtingtun, Mil 2121515 March 28, 2016 The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary Department of State Washington, DC 20520 The Honorable Michael Froman Of?ce of the United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20508 Dr. Sullivan Administrator National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Silver Spring, MD 20815 Dear Secretary Kerry, Ambassador Froman, and Administrator Sullivan: We write to express our extreme concern over recent efforts by the Swedish Ministry of Environment and Energy to reclassify live Maine lobster as an invasive species and ban the importation of live lobsters to the entire 28-member European Union (EU). We urge you to engage in immediate efforts to ensure the continuation of safe and responsible import of live Maine lobsters, consistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations. The trans-Atlantic lobster trade, with an annual value of about $196 million, is important for both North America and Europe. As live lobsters are Maine?s top export to the EU, any attempt to halt their import could have serious rami?cations for Maine lobstermen and their families. Access to the European market is essential for the maritime economy of our state. While we understand Sweden?s desire to preserve the integrity of their native species, it is critical that any action taken by the European Commission be consistent with WTO rules. Among other rules, the WTO requires that animal health protection measures be based on scienti?c principles, supported by scienti?c evidence. Moreover, such measures may not be disguised restrictions on international trade. For decades, Maine has safely exported live lobster around the world. Studies by the University of Maine, a global leader in the scienti?c study of lobsters, have indicated the risk of Maine lobsters interbreeding with European lobsters is extraordinarily low. They also report that disease transmission risks associated with inadvertent contact are small, for reasons related to signi?cant differences between European and Maine sea PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER temperatures. Statements by the European Commission do not deem the appearance of alien species in new locations as a necessary cause for concern. Since only a small number of Maine lobsters have been found in foreign waters, we believe regulators should take a more ?nely tuned approach before calling this an ?invasion.? Some reports have suggested that individuals are releasing lobsters into European waters after their arrival. If this is the case, such a violation should be handled ?rst by local law enforcement, rather than used to erect a barrier to legitimate international trade. It is important that any action be as prescriptive as possible. We hope the European Commission with exhaust all other options before potentially alienating a successful trading market. It is in the best interest of all parties involved to maintain this sector of trans-Atlantic trade that supports so many Mainers and their families. Our lobstermen have heeded calls by President Obama to build export markets. We now need your help to ensure that the EU does not erect unjustified barriers to these markets. Thank you for your consideration of our request. We look forward to hearing from you about steps that you and others in the Administration are taking to ensure live Maine lobsters remain available throughout Europe. Sincerely, SUSAN M. COLLINS CHELLIE United States Senator Member of Congress 49/96" Xv Erwi- Q0 Work. ANGUSJS. KING, JR. POLIQUIN United States Senator Member of Congress cc: Honorable Penny Pritzker, Secretary, United States Department of Commerce