US Bioterrorism Act takes effect
THE LOCAL business community is seeking to become ready for the impending United States regulations against bio-terrorism, which becomes effective on December 12, 2003.
Under the "Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002" (the Bioterrorism Act) which was passed late last year, Jamaican exporters will have to meet specific requirements to protect the safety of food entering the US.
Sub-sections of the Act require registration of food facilities by their owners, operator or the agent in charge of a domestic or foreign facility as well as the US agent, while purchasers or importers of an article of food (or their agent) are required to provide prior notice of importers food shipment.
PRIOR NOTICE
The Food and Drug Administration requires prior notice before food is imported or offered for import into the United States. The FDA must be notified by noon of the calendar day before the day the imported food will arrive at the U.S. border crossing or at the port of entry. The proposed rule would require the prior notice to be submitted electronically through an FDA Internet-based system that would be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In anticipation of the new regulations a taskforce of several agencies has been working to prepare and sensitise the relevant firms to comply with the new regulations.
REGISTRATION
JAMPRO, the government agency leading the charge, has reported that several local companies have been registering with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ahead of the December 12 deadline.
The regulations form part of the continuing efforts of the U.S government to ensure the safety and security of food supply in the US, in light of terrorist attacks. Failure of local facilities to register with the FDA or ensure their US importers have the necessary information to submit the prior notice can result in huge financial losses, resulting from holding and freight charges, destruction of products or re-export of products to the point of shipment.
See part II next week.
