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AFIF meets with Deputy Prime Minister's Office to Discuss 

US Air Cargo Screening Deadline

Dear Member,

As Australia's air cargo industry would now be aware, the Office of Transport Security (OTS) are implementing new initiatives to further enhance Australia's Air Cargo Security program and to try and achieve a further extension from the US TSA for our current program. AFIF fully supports these initiatives and is working with OTS help convince USA TSA to extend the deadline beyond July 31.

In recognition of the importance of this issue, AFIF today met at Parliament House in Canberra with the Senior Advisor, Aviation and Maritime, to the Hon Warren Truss, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. The Minister's office were grateful for AFIF's input today into this critical industry issue.

AFIF clearly believe that something must be done IMMEDIATELY to satisfy the TSA that the  Australian air cargo industry does recognise and is working towards meeting their requirements.

We suggested that as the US has currently not agreed to an extension to the July 31 deadline for piece level screening to be carried out, AFIF believes that Australia could gain immediate benefit in further enhancing air cargo security by implementing IATA Resolution 651, Cargo Security. This IATA Resolution provides numerous benefits to many sectors of the industry, by standardising Security Declarations with the (CSD) and the implementation of the Electronic Security Declaration (eCSD). On a global basis, IATA Resolution 651 has been actively endorsed by numerous industry-wide authorities, including ICAO, FIATA, WCO & GACAG. The eCSD is also published with guidance material from ICAO, to assist with ICAO Annex 17 obligations, to which Australia is a signatory.

AFIF SUGGESTS THAT ALL FREIGHT FORWARDERS AND AIRLINES OPERATING OUT OF AUSTRALIA SHOULD IMMEDIATLEY PLAN TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO IMPLEMENT IATA RESOLUTION 651,COMMENCING FROM JULY 1 WITH THE AIM OF FULL INDUSTRY COMPLIANCE BY 30 SEPTEMBER 2015. AFIF HAVE IT ON GOOD AUTHOURITY THAT THIS IS AN ACHIEVABLE TARGET.

This will send a strong signal to the TSA, who are currently holding talks with the Australian   
Ambassador along with senior USA and Australian politicians in Washington. This action will demonstrate our commitment to enhance security and strengthen our case for a longer lead time to phase in the new initiatives.

At the IATA Australia Cargo Executive Council meeting to be held in coming days, AFIF will be
strongly reinforcing this direction.

As reported by IATA, OTS have previously approved the Resolution 651 CSD & eCSD for use as security declarations in Australia. We now urge industry to implement the resolution without further delay.

Further details will be provided by AFIF on Monday 29th June following feedback from the weekend meetings being held in Washington.

Kind regards,

Brian Lovell
CEO