A hill of beans could mean a mountain of paperwork
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced the Bioterrorism Act, legislation that lays down new requirements for anyone handling, storing and shipping (most) foodstuffs to the USA. The US authorities have consulted widely and announced the changes using a number of different media including worldwide satellite broadcasts. This effort has led to certain small changes being made and clarifications given.
However, these small changes could lead to a lot more work, because different departments of US government are proposing legislation that overlaps. For example, if you are shipping a container full of baked beans to the US, you must register the places where you manufacture and store your beans, and the US authorities must be provided with advance notice of the shipment, between 5 days and 8 hours before importation. 24 hours before the container is loaded aboard the vessel in the UK, the shipping line must also declare the contents. These requirements are in addition to the established UK export declaration and those for US import entry!
There is hope that such a situation might be avoided. Following representations made to the US on May 27th, the FDA announced that they are working closely with the CBP to streamline the collection of data on imports. This is excellent news and shows that our representations can truly make a difference.
For more information about security issues or SITPRO's next security forum on 22nd September 2003, please contact Andy Walker on 020 7467 7290 or e-mail andy.walker@sitpro.org.uk 
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Return to SITPRO News: Issue 46, August/September 2003