JOC 7/2/07

Senate panel proposes all-scan for belly air cargo

WASHINGTON -- Leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday
introduced legislation requiring all air cargo flying aboard passenger
aircraft to be screened within three years.

There are no details on how the Transportation Security Administration will
achieve 100-percent screening of cargo, but "equipment, technology,
procedures, personnel, or other methods" should "provide a level of
security comparable to the level of security in effect for passenger
checked baggage."

There is similar language in the House security bill, H.R. 1, now before
the Senate. The House bill calls for the adoption of all recommendations of
the 9-11 commission.

The bill also orders TSA to evaluate pilot programs on blast-resistant
cargo containers, and begin acquisition of containers to be made available
to airlines.

Commerce Committee Chairman Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, and vice chairman
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, are sponsors of the bill, joined by four
co-sponsors.

The bill drew a swift response from the National Customs Brokers and
Fowarders Association of America. President Mary Jo Muoio called the "100
percent solution" an oxymoron that would reduce the effectiveness of air
cargo screening by spreading resources too thinly over too many shipments.

Muoio said that NCBFAA is committed to a mult-layered, risk-based approach
to air cargo security which includes TSA's "trusted shipper" concept, and a
real-time security link among carriers, indirect air carriers and shippers
to identify high-risk shipments.

The text of the legislation may be found at http://thomas.loc.gov/. Follow
the link to the Feb. 6 Congressional Record Daily Digest, and search on "S. 509"