British International Freight Association - UK forwarders ‘not surprised’ by US climbdown on 100% alembic scanning

According to John O’Connell, Director – Trade Services at the British International Freight Association (BIFA) – bifa.org - it was “hardly surprising” to apprehend the contempo account that the US Department for Homeland Security (DHS) would bigger not be able to accommodated its 2012 borderline to apparatus its ambition of 100 percent entering alembic scanning.

Mr O’Connell said: “As BIFA has said repeatedly, the DHS has consistently underestimated the abomination of the assignment in duke about to the costs both to the US Government and those of adopted governments, as able-bodied as, importantly, the bound adeptness of abreast screening technology to access close cargo, or ample quantities of burden in shipment containers.

“Couple this to the fact, that by the DHS’ own calculations, some 86 percent of burden alien to the USA originates from alone 58 of added than 700 all-around ports, and there is acutely a acute altercation to calibration down their unrealistic aspirations.”

BIFA’s comments are in acknowledgment to the contempo account that US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said her administration would be clumsy to accommodated a congressionally-mandated 2012 borderline for scanning all US-bound address burden for abeyant WMD ingredients.

As a aftereffect of bereft technology and the top amount associated with scanning the 10 actor burden containers that access the country annually, DHS requested an addendum of the congressionally imposed deadline.

Adds Mr O’Connell: "We accept consistently said that accretion screening with accessible technology would apathetic the breeze of business and drive up costs to consumers after bringing cogent aegis benefits. These thoughts were echoed in the affidavit fabricated by Janet Napolitano to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

“Rather than blame aback the borderline for 100 percent screening, as requested by DHS, the US Government care to undertake a businesslike analysis of the accomplished action and actualize a revised programme on a accident assessed, commercially applied and technologically achievable basis.”

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) represents UK companies affianced in the all-embracing movement of bales by all modes of transport. A not-for-profit organisation, BIFA is adjourned by cable and run by its associates for members. It operates with a full-time Secretariat, which administers and manages the Association’s affairs. BIFA provides an able and proactive organisation committed to convalescent standards of professionalism aural the acumen and accumulation alternation industry.

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