Report Urges CBP Improvements in Detecting Biological, Chemical Threats in Cargo Containers

(World Trade Interactive)

A recent report from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General makes several recommendations on how U.S. Customs and Border Protection can improve its ability to detect biological and chemical threats in maritime cargo containers. Biological threats, such as weaponized anthrax, smallpox and foot-and-mouth disease, are disease-causing viruses or bacteria that can kill or cause harm to individuals or agricultural resources. Chemical threats, such as sarin and mustard gas, harm individuals or groups of people through exposure to toxic chemical substances.

The report states that CBP has taken steps to mitigate the threat of nuclear and radiological weapons in maritime cargo containers but could do more to mitigate the threats posed by biological and chemical weapons. CBP officials told OIG that new devices are currently being developed and tested that could help officers rapidly detect and identify biological and chemical threats during cargo inspections, but the report points out that the agency has not yet conducted a formal risk assessment to determine which pathways pose the highest risk of biological and chemical weapons entering the U.S. and whether deploying new resources in the maritime cargo environment will therefore provide the most benefit. OIG recommended that CBP conduct or commission such an assessment, but CBP expressed a belief that it will be well-positioned to identify the highest risk pathways as a result of its participation in two DHS initiatives that are expected to be completed by August 31, 2010. Read more here.

Nations Call for China Trade Probe

(UK Press Association)

The U.S., the European Union and Mexico have called on the World Trade Organisation to probe Chinese curbs on raw material exports that they say break global trade rules.

In separate statements, U.S. and EU trade representatives said Chinese quotas on exports of key minerals such as bauxite, coke, magnesium, manganese, silicon metal and zinc and export charges on several raw materials distort competition and increase global prices.EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton said these were “making conditions for our companies even more difficult in this economic climate.” Read more here.

USDA Withdraws Increase in Fees for Quarantine and Inspection Services

(USDA APHIS)

The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has withdrawn an interim rule that would have imposed an approximately 10% increase in the fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection services provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, trucks, railroad cars and aircraft arriving at ports in the U.S. customs territory. These fees had been slated to take effect November 1, but APHIS has decided to withdraw them in order to explore other regulatory alternatives. As a result, the subject user fees will remain as follows.

• commercial vessels - $494
• commercial trucks - $5.25 for a single border crossing and $105 for a transponder
• commercial railroad cars - $7.75 per car
• commercial aircraft - $70.50 per aircraft

Read the complete release here.

Drivers Should Have Next-Gen FAST Cards In-Hand

(Today’s Trucking)

Older, first generation FAST cards will no longer be accepted by Canada Border Services Agency or US Customs and Border Protection as of Dec. 1, 2009.

The Ontario Trucking Association reports that all commercial drivers should have received their Generation 2 FAST cards. Drivers who have not, should contact the FAST enrollment centre where they originally applied or click here.

The Generation 2 card is equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which enables the transmission of identification data from a distance.

The two border agencies have reportedly not yet decided how to handle old FAST cards — whether drivers can throw them out or hand them in — so drivers are advise to hold on to them just in case.