Rockefeller targets container security
(NITL) The National Industrial Transportation League -- Logistics Management, 11/10/2009
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman
Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) said this week 
he is working in partnership with the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general to update current
port security procedures to better protect against biological and chemical
threats.
Rockfeller issued a press release calling attention to a November 2 report from the inspector general regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) ability to detect biological and chemical threats in maritime cargo containers. The report is in response to a requirement in the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2004 that calls for an annual evaluation of the current cargo targeting and inspection systems for containerized cargo.
"Tireless assessment of inspection procedures at our ports, and the adaptation of those procedures to face 21st century threats head on, is critically important to strengthening America's national security," said Rockefeller. "I intend to work in unison with the Department of Homeland Security on the issue of port security and offer my leadership, as Commerce Committee chairman, to maintain up-to-date and efficient security initiatives."
The West Virginia lawmaker added that it is "crucial we determine which pathways into America pose the highest risk of biological and chemical weapons release and use the most cutting-edge, proven technologies for interdiction."
The key findings of the inspector general's report are as follows:
·CBP has taken preliminary steps to collaborate with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate to develop biological and chemical testing technology;
·Formal risk assessment of pathways prone to biological and chemical weapons entering American soil is necessary for effective deterrence; and
·A plan to determine how detection technology resources should be allocated to pathways that pose the greatest risk will require highly collaborative and updated procedural methods.
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