Bioterrorism Trade Concerns Addressed at International Meeting

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Bioterrorism Trade Concerns Addressed at International Meeting

Nova Scotia has voiced its concerns about new U.S. bioterrorism regulations and how they impact the movement of fresh seafood and other perishable foods across the Canada-U.S. border .

Last week, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Gordon Balser, attended the 13th annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord Meeting in Montreal. At that meeting, Mr. Balser led officials from Canada, U.S. and Mexico in a discussion of the U.S. Bioterrorism Act and brought forward a number of suggestions to smooth potential problems at border crossings.

"We had a very good discussion. I expressed my understanding for the United States' need for bioterrorism measures and hoped that our two countries could work together, as we have in the past to address specific trade processes." said Mr. Balser.

Under the newly proposed regulation for "Prior Notice of Imported Food," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must be notified by noon on the calendar day before any imported food arrives at the border. The FDA can detain shipments for which paperwork is missing, delayed, incomplete or incorrect.

Amendments can be made up to two hours before the shipment arrives at the crossing, but the extent of the allowed changes is limited. Although most shippers of products will not have problems complying with the regulation, fresh and live Nova Scotia seafood is routinely received and delivered within 24 hours.

"Seafood is Nova Scotia's largest exporting sector and much of the movement is fresh and live seafood products. Nova Scotia seafood exporters are worried that delays in crossing the border or other impediments will have significant negative ramifications on the trade," said Mr. Balser, who attended the Boston Seafood Show last month and spoke with many American and Canadian industry and government officials about possible difficulties.

As a result of the discussion in Montreal, a Canada-U.S. working group has been established. To be co-chaired by Nova Scotia and New Jersey, the group will monitor the new regulations, make recommendations to the Tri-National group and may make representations to the FDA.

"There are many perishable food items, seafood and produce, that go to market in the U.S. and we want to insure that they are able to be delivered with as little impact as possible," said Mr. Balser.

Government and industry officials have suggested ways to improve the American regulations. One key suggestion is that the prior notice requirement be amended to allow changes no less than four hours before the shipment arrives at the border in the case of perishable products. It has also been suggested that Canadian exporters be able to make direct notification to the FDA without involving a third party.

The new U.S. bioterrorism regulations will come into effect in December.