|
|
|
|
|
| CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS |
| TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2006 | |
|
A COMMON CHALLENGE: DEALING WITH BORDER INSPECTION POSTS |
|
|
Dr. Neil Brooks European Commission Seconded National Expert, DG Sanco Health & Protection of the Consumer, Unit D3 Rue Froissart 101, 2-56 Brussles, B-1040 Belgium
Tel: + 32 2 295-4996 Fax: + 32 2 299-8566 http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/index_en.htm
[ Back to Top ] |
“Legislation & Procedures
European Commission
Seconded National
Expert, DG Sanco
|
|
Mr.
Tim Harris, SDA
Consultant
P.O. Box
251
Redhill,
Surrey
RH1 5FU
England, UK
Tel: +
44 01737 82 22 49
Fax: +
44 01737 82 29 54
harrisassociates@btconnect.com
[
Back to Top ]
|
“Border Inspection Posts:
Mr. Tim
HARRIS, SDA
Whilst Europe has developed 'borderless trade' within its boundaries, nationally resulting in the free movement of animals throughout Europe, the intention has been to strengthen the entry points at Europe's borders, especially against disease.
This is done by requiring all animals and animal products to be imported solely via designated Border Inspection Posts [BIPs]. Whilst these are to be found at road, air, rail and seaports, not all provide the same services, so third countries need to know some of these differences. Many new BIPs have been opened in the new Accession States.
Recent events and serious disease outbreaks have highlighted the need to strengthen the border defences against import of exotic disease. The particular requirements for animals and animal products will be featured, along with some ideas for assisting and speeding movement through BIPs. |
|
Tim
Harris trained in Agriculture at Edinburgh University and returned to
the family farm in 1961 to develop the production of pedigree breeding
pigs. The Nutfield herd of Landrace pigs, established in 1954, sold
breeding stock throughout the UK and the first exports were made to
France in 1961. Exports in those days were handled by specialist export
agents. It was a shipment of his animals for China in 1964 that
resulted in one being left behind by one of these so-called 'experts'
entirely due to inadequate paperwork. This was the trigger that made
Tim decide to do all his own exports in the future. The humble pig has
now taken Tim to 45 countries. Exports of animals have numbered several
tens of thousands to over 40 countries, mainly breeding pigs, but also
many other species from giraffes to gerbils. Veterinarian Graham Joss, who was at that time advisor to British Airways and the IATA LAPB, introduced Tim to the AATA immediately after its inception in 1976. He is now a lifetime member and has served as the AATA European Secretary since before the EU was established when it was realised that a European Office was required the tidal wave of legislation expected from Brussels. (He was not disappointed!)
He has contributed as a writer, speaker or member in many advisory groups including the American Society of Animal Science, British Society of Animal Science, British Veterinary Association, Council of Europe, DGVI in Brussels, Department of Trade and Industry/SITPRO, European Union, European Livestock Transporters, IATA in Seehaim and Hong Kong, ILPH, Lloyds of London, OIE and the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council. He has written the definitive Manual for the Transportation of Live Animals, and spoken or provided papers for many University or Professional audiences. He writes a weekly e-zine for AATA members covering all current aspects of legislation, disease, and banter associated with the international trade in animals. |
|
|
Mr. Gordon Cragge Director, International Trade Practices SITPRO Limited 7th Floor, Kingsgate House 66—74 Victoria Street London SW1E 6SW UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7215 8165
At SITPRO Gordon directs the international trade facilitation and e-Business work programmes that aim to deliver practical, value for money, user-friendly best practices and electronic trading solutions that are syntax independent and technology neutral. With the support of the Standards Team, Gordon is helping to progress the implementation of UNeDocsUK, the first national extension of the international standard for paper and electronic trade documentation and transaction data exchange. Within the UN CEFACT Forum, Gordon represents the UK and is the Chair of the International Trade Procedures Working Group that develops and maintains trade facilitation standards and e-Business solutions for international trade, including new and existing UN Recommendations. Recently the ITPWG was responsible for the publication of Recommendation 33 and Guidelines for establishing a Single Window for the efficient exchange of trade related data between Government and the business community. Gordon is also the Chair of ASEAL, the Asia Europe Alliance for Paperless Trade, a public private partnership of four founding countries (Korea, France, Germany and the UK) with the additional membership of Taiwan. Under the banner of ASEM (Asia Europe Meeting), this collaborative effort aims to progress and deliver the paperless, or at least much less paper, trading stream of the ambitious e-Commerce programme and Trade Facilitation Action Plan. Pilot projects have been arranged to exchange trade, transport and customs related data between the two Regions that will act as proofs of concept through assessing the feasibility and testing the interoperability of the existing national systems.
|
“Paperless Documentation:
Mr. Gordon
CRAGGE
International standards bodies are responding to the demands from both the public and private sectors to provide simpler more transparent processes for global commerce. During the past year significant advances have been made to facilitate the electronic exchange of information between governments for the international trade in goods. In the forefront of these developments is the design and delivery of international standards that will allow the requirement for an official certificate to be conducted in a paperless environment.
Within UN CEFACT (the Centre for Trade Facilitation and e-Business) and working closely with other organisations, international trade experts and practitioners are modelling the processes for the preparation and presentation of government required Certificates. Using these models, technicians are developing the syntax solutions that will offer the platform for the interoperability of systems, and also support and enhance current commercial practice and existing official procedures. Equally the development of these standards will facilitate and optimise the operation of a Single Window where business can submit all international trade related information using a simple set of data, sent only once, through a single portal to meet all government regulatory requirements.
In the presentation Gordon Cragge introduced a Roadmap to Paperless Trade charting the way forward, highlighting the milestones and demonstrating the benefits while identifying the costs. Leading the road ahead is the agricultural sector where several projects are already well developed and are close to the destination of a paperless (or at least less paper) trading environment. The presentation will update Conference delegates on recent developments in these initiatives and show the potential impact on the cross border movement of live animals.
|
|
INDUSTRY RESPONSIBILITY: A JOINT EFFORT |
|
|
Ms. Debby van Son Secretary Saveetra P.O. Box 3008
2700 KS
Zoetermeer Tel: +31 79 3636 2589
Fax: +31
79 363 6280
1990 – 1995 : Environmental Sciences (Environmental Technology) on the Higher Agricultural School. 1995 - 1998 : Implementation of schemes for quality, safety and environment an support with compliance with legislation at a small waste transport company that also works with big sweeping machines for construction of roads and cleaning of streets. 1998 – 1999 : Counsellor for the TLN members in the south west of the Netherlands with Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN), a Dutch Employers Association on Transport and Logistics. 1999 – 2001: Secretary for the TLN members that collect and transport waste. 2001 – 2006: Secretary the animal transporters (Saveetra) and the transporters of raw milk with Transport en Logistiek Nederland.
Activities: · Lobby (national and international. For instance the lobby for a effective new Transport Regulation in the EU) · The campaign to improve the image of animal transport · The quality scheme in animal transport · Contacts with other animal transport organisations (like the AATA and ELT. I am secretary of ELT) · Supply of relevant information to our members
· Press
contacts on animal transport. Various projects: The goals of Saveetra
are mainly based on compliance with legislation. The activities are
focussed on creating en environment in which good animal transporters
can perform their work in a normal way, but animal transporters that
make money out of violation of animal welfare or animal health should be
sanctioned severely. The industry has a joint responsibility to create
this environment.
|
“Advantages by Means of Quality Ms. Debby VAN SON Transport en Logistiek Nederland Secretary Saveetra
Advantages by means of quality schemes in the animal transport:
Many animal transporters worldwide do their work in a responsible way and they are glad to show that to the world. Mostly quality schemes are used to show the public, government or industry that the company is responsible and the quality of the service is high. But quality systems always cost money and an animal transporter always remains an entrepreneur. Are the costs compensated by sufficient income? During the introduction suggestions are done how a good quality system in the animal transport can lead to profit.
Attention will be given on the link of a quality system to legal standards and advantages which the government could offer, but also reduction of veterinary costs and insurance premiums. There are also advantages that can be gained in the food chain. Possibly chain quality can lead to improvement of the image and efficiency improvement.
The European Livestock Transporters are in favour of a European quality system as a means to improving the competitive position of the participants. But this is only possible if an agreement can be made concerning the differences between participants and non- participants. The sector must initiate these agreements themselves to prevent a European quality system in the animal transport from becoming a disappointment. But if these agreements can be made it will lead to a stronger sector.
|
|
Mr. Andrew Spence Health & Safety Manager Darley Stud Management Co Ltd Dalham Hall Stud Duchess Drive Newmarket Suffolk CB8 9HD, UK
Tel.: +44 07775 913772 Fax: +44 01638 675208
Andrew is Health and Safety Manager to the Darley Stud Management Company Ltd, based in the UK, in Newmarket, Suffolk. He has overall responsibility for the Company’s Health and Safety Management, Fire Control, Occupational Health and provides in partnership with the Ambulance Service, an emergency medical response to the local community in and around Newmarket. Andrew advises Darley’s ‘sister’ Transport and Property Management Companies; he also advises the Company’s Stud in Ireland.
Andrew trained as a health and safety practitioner in 1990. He has a proven track record of influencing change and successfully implementing new systems across both industry and commerce. He is also a trained nurse with occupational health and emergency care competencies.
Andrew has been employed by Darley since 2004; he is probably at present, the only occupational safety and health practitioner working full time in the horseracing industry. He is an advocate of a ‘common scene’ and an effective approach to health and safety management and control.
|
“The Employer's Responsibility: Mr. Andrew SPENCE Health & Safety Manager Darley Stud Management Company, Ltd.
Most of the developed (and some of the developing world) has health and safety legislation. In the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe, for instance, the level of legislation and required control is significant.
Health and safety is driven by a society’s collective ambition to make environments, including work places, both safe and healthy for all. This can be in response to a disaster or major event, for example, smoking was prohibited on the London Underground following the Kings Cross disaster in the 1980’s, when fire spread through the underground stations and resulted in a large number of deaths; the fire was thought to have been caused by a cigarette. Imagine what may happen now, when media interest is more intense, if a horse or other large animal were to get loose at a major airport causing an accident and loss of life.
It is a common impression that people sue for compensation ‘at the drop of a hat’. Whether they do or not is questionable, but Insurers do see organisations with high risk undertakings, poor safety records, or with prosecutions against them for breaches in health and safety law as a high insurance risk and so load premiums accordingly.
Most health and safety laws in most countries have a common thread and require:
· The law to be applied · A policy of intent · Hazard and risk identification · Control measures to be in place
Laws tend to be both pro and reactive, but in truth, prosecutions are usually a reaction to something going wrong, when there has been a significant injury or loss of life. Most countries will accept, within the boundaries of their legislation, a ‘Reasonable’ approach to management and control, the trick is to act ‘Reasonably’!
Some international industrial groups have successfully introduced common standards for safety which are accepted in most countries; this certainly helps individual companies within the group to act reasonably and reduces the risk of controls being implemented from outside the industry, where the level of understanding about the constraints on the business may be less well appreciated.
In summary, like paying taxes or climate change, health and safety is a fact of life. The requirement for good and effect systems to keep people safe and healthy is being slowly but progressively introduced across the world. Self imposed systems can be effective and are recommended; they can bring down costs, save lives, prevent serious injury and create a ‘level playing field’ for all. It would be wise to have robust self imposed systems in place and working before systems are considered or imposed from outside.
|
|
Mr. Daniel K. Maloney Vice President and General Curator Audubon Zoo/Audubon Nature Institute 6500 Magazine Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 USA
Tel: +1 504-861-5112 Fax: +1 504-212-5471
[ Back to Top ] |
“Teamwork: Assuming Responsibility
Mr. Daniel K. MALONEY
In the aftermath of America’s greatest natural disaster, Audubon Zoo faired better than most other New Orleans’ institutions. Favorable geography and good fortune spared the zoo from Hurricane Katrina’s most devastating effects. However, good planning and the courage of dedicated staff saved the animals and the facilities.
In 1992 Hurricane Andrew destroyed much of the Miami Metro Zoo. Hard-earned experiences by Miami’s staff were later shared with colleagues in New Orleans, forever changing the way Audubon Zoo regards and responds to high category storms. Miami’s ordeal taught Audubon’s Hurricane Response Team some extremely important lessons. For example,
· Plan
on being self- contained and self-reliant. It is unlikely anyone will
be
· Plan
on being potentially isolated for several weeks. Equipped with this
· Plan
on being adaptable. “If it were routine and predictable, it wouldn’t be
the exceptional pool of talent within our tenants to the benefit of the
animals
· Plan
for the future. Though it often seemed as if hope was in small supply,
Crippled by the overnight disappearance of its customer base and faced with the temporary operational loss of the Aquarium of the Americas, its financial workhorse, the Audubon Nature Institute has been forced to make institutional life-saving maneuvers. From the agonizing decision to furlough more than 75% of the employee roster, to the all-hands emergency staffing measures keeping Audubon afloat; from endowment-funding to crisis fund-raising, Audubon has inspired the city, region, and nation with the passion of its people.
Functioning as a premier zoological institution, responsible business entity, and concerned community partner amidst a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) dominated landscape continues to be a daily challenge. This presentation will show how the Audubon team persevered, adapted, and eventually triumphed among the ruins of a devastated city. And, it will identify what they’ll do better next time.
|
| [ Back to Top ] | Next 8 |
|
|
||
Visitors:
 |
|
Last Updated: 31-Jul-2006 |
For suggestions or problems with this website, please contact AATA's Webmaster |
|
|
