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May 27, 2010

Transport Canada will implement a new air cargo security program

The Government of Canada is introducing a robust five-year plan to ensure that air cargo shipments are resilient from the threat of terrorism and to assist exporters to move cargo in a secure, timely and efficient way. The new Air Cargo Security Program announced this week is a $95.7 million investment over five years, to be phased in and fully implemented by 2015.

The Program will involve a new regulatory plan that will reach four important goals:

• There will be an obligation for all cargo shippers, freight forwarders and air carriers in the supply chain process to ensure that cargo screening is completed and verified;
• Shippers, freight forwarders and air carriers will use newer and more effective technologies and processes to screen cargo;
• All companies involved in screening cargo will require thorough security checks; and
• Canada's air cargo screening will be fully compatible with other trading partners; having a security regime that aligns with major partners will sustain and improve trade.

The new funding will:

• Allow for the use of screening technology;
• Ensure the Government has oversight capacity with new inspectors;
• Enhance training programs; and
• Support shippers, agents/freight forwarders and air carriers in complying with the new Program in this five-year time frame.

It will also go toward creating the most effective secure supply chain possible.

This new Program will define which technologies and processes are acceptable for screening of different risk classes of cargo along the supply chain (e.g., factors will be considered, such as: the origin and destination of the cargo; type of aircraft used - whether passenger or all-cargo; the contents, size/configuration and wrapping/packaging and sealing of the cargo).

Through an analysis of these factors, shippers will know which screening and process is acceptable: either physical inspection, canine check, explosives trace detection or X-ray scanning.