US security proposals continue to raise strong objection

OPPOSITION TO proposals by the US for 100% scrutiny of all goods moving into the country was in strong evidence at the recent International Association of Freight Forwarders (Fiata) conference in Dubai. While no-one disputes the security imperative, the European Union raised objection to the manner of implementation. According to SA Association of Freight Forwarders executive officer Chris Richards who attended the conference, several alternatives around implementation were discussed. “They talked about risk analysis which involves using data of particular companies to establish their credentials – along similar lines to a customs accreditation system. “Another alternative would be the creation of a partnership between law enforcement, security, the ports and airports, with all parties working together to address crime, the use of non-intrusive inspection technology like X-rays and RFID.” During the debate the EU came out in strong support of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) concept – more of an accreditationtype solution. “The EU believes that you cannot implement 100% scrutiny without severely affecting trade flow,” said Richards. “The AEO concept favours the checking of goods at the port of origin and not destination and that’s what the US is essentially achieving, with shippers required to file their manifests 24 hours in advance of cargo departure.” The EU made it clear that a framework was needed that protected civil liberties and the freedom of citizens. An EU spokesman who heads up the security initiative said it had become an EU versus US debate. “100% cargo screening is impossible – in fact it’s a joke. The current technological infrastructure for the scanning of containers does not have the capacity to absorb the introduction of 100% screening without causing trade to come to a halt,” he said. “A healthy balance must be found between the need to enhance security and trade facilitation.” No implementation date has been set for the ruling which will clearly be an issue of contention for some time to come.