Correspondence
Email sent to Thomas Zaffiro, President of Channel Fish Processing.
The email said: "I’m contacting you in light of our latest investigation which concerns the use of forced labor in China’s food processing industry, and a link we’ve discovered between a company engaged in such practices and your supply chain. Your supplier Qingdao Tianyuan Aquatic Products has received persons from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China under the state-imposed labor transfer program. The United Nations, human rights organizations and academic experts agree that since 2018, the Chinese government has systematically subjected Xinjiang’s predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities to forced labor across the country via state-sanctioned employment schemes which use coercive methods in worker enrollment. The U.S. has prohibited the importation of goods produced from state-imposed forced labor. Does Channel Fish Processing have any comment or statement to make in light of the above information? Please respond to this email by close of business May 26, 2023."
The Outlaw Ocean Project emailed Channel Fish Processing: "I recently contacted Channel Fish Processing in relation to our investigation into the use of forced labor in China’s seafood processing industry, as it related to your supply chain. The email noted that one of your suppliers - Qingdao Tianyuan Aquatic Products - has received persons from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China under the state- imposed labor transfer program.
Public records show that, since 2018, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Justice have awarded seventeen procurement contracts to Channel Fish Processing.
Can you clarify if Channel Fish Processing sourced any product from Qingdao Tianyuan Aquatic Products, or any other Chinese supplier, to fulfill any of the Department of Agriculture or Department of Justice contracts, in full or in part?
Please respond to this email by close of business July 24, 2023."