Canada and the United States announce air cargo security improvements

OTTAWA, May 31, 2012 /CNW/ – Today, Canada and the United States announced that both governments have agreed to the mutual recognition of, and cooperation on, air cargo security in both countries. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Mr. James D. Nealon, Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy on behalf of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole, made the announcement.

Under the new mutual recognition initiative, cargo shipped on passenger aircraft will now be screened only once for transportation security reasons, at the point of origin and will not need to be rescreened prior to upload on an aircraft in the other country. This will reduce delays and economic costs caused by both countries screening the same cargo twice.

“With our vast geography, Canada’s economy relies on the safe and efficient movement of goods by air. Mutual recognition of air cargo security programs will improve efficiency and cut costs for businesses and consumers on both sides of the border,” said Minister Lebel.

“The mutual recognition of air cargo security programs is just one of the first initiatives in the Beyond the Border Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama,” added Deputy Chief of Mission, Nealon. “Through this program, we will be able to move goods between U.S. and Canada faster, more efficiently, and most securely.”

In Canada, almost half of all air cargo is shipped on passenger planes, which is the most effective shipping method, considering Canada’s size and unique geography. Last year, approximately 100 billion dollars of goods were imported and exported by air.

The Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan, published in December 2011, establishes initiatives to improve the ability to manage security risks in both countries, while reducing the burden on business. The action plan focuses on four areas:  addressing threats early; facilitating trade, economic growth and jobs; integrating cross border law enforcement; and strengthening critical infrastructure and cyber security.

Additional information on Canada’s Air Cargo Security Program can be found in the attached backgrounder.

Canada and the United States have long shared the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. In 2010, $27 billion of goods were imported and exported by air between Canada and the United States.

In Canada, just under half of all air cargo is shipped on passenger planes. This is the most effective shipping method for high value or perishable cargo, considering Canada’s unique geography and size of industry.

On February 4, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama issued a Declaration on a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness establishing a new long-term partnership that will accelerate the legitimate flows of goods and people between both countries.

On December 7, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama announced the Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competiveness. The Action Plan was designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, improve security in North America, and align regulatory approaches between the two countries.

Achievement of mutual recognition of air cargo security programs is the first step toward fulfilling the integrated cargo security objectives of the Action Plan.

To achieve mutual recognition, Canada and the U.S. worked collaboratively to ensure commensurate security controls exist within their air cargo security programs. Each country formally reviewed the other’s national security program including: program design, regulations, oversight and compliance, audit and site validation visits.  As a result of this process, Canada and the U.S. achieved mutual recognition of their respective national air cargo security programs effective March 31st, 2012.

Under the new mutual recognition initiative, cargo shipped on passenger aircraft will now be screened only once for transportation security reasons, at the point of origin and will not need to be rescreened prior to upload on an aircraft in the other country. For example, a shipment of Canadian computer games purchased by a U.S. company would have had to comply with the rules of both air cargo programs and be re-screened resulting in extra paperwork and additional screening cost for the shipper. Today, that same shipment doesn’t have to be screened once it gets to the U.S. before being loaded on passenger aircraft meaning fewer security delays. With the two countries mutually recognizing each other’s air cargo security programs, the efficiency of screening is improved and the burden on the industry is reduced.

The screening processes used for passengers and luggage are considerably different to those used to secure cargo shipments. There is a large variation in the physical size and configuration of cargo, the nature of wrapping and crating used, and material contents differ widely.  For example, the technology used to screen a suitcase does not work for a large pallet of machine parts.

To accommodate these differences, air cargo in Canada is screened using several methods including physical inspection, canine check, explosive trace detection or x-ray scanning. The details of these requirements and how they are applied are confidential, for security reasons.

Air cargo is just the start.  Canada and the U.S. are working together to strengthen co-ordination, co-operation and timely decision-making at the border for cargo shipped by sea or land with a view to increasing two-way trade, and reducing travel and commercial disruptions. When the Action Plan is fully implemented, the principle of “screened once, accepted twice” is intended to apply to all modes of shipping cargo.

In May 2010, the Government of Canada announced the investment of $95.7 million over five years to strengthen and enhance the air cargo security program in Canada. This investment continues to facilitate Canada’s air cargo security program to align with those of our key trading partners, respond to emerging threats and adapt to the unique air cargo environment in Canada.