Government in talks over US port security deal

By HELEN TUNNAH

New Zealand is negotiating a nation-to-nation agreement, rather than individual port deals, with the United States to try to comply with tight new security measures imposed on containers exported there.

Customs Minister Rick Barker said talks were already under way between Customs officials here and in the US to protect New Zealand's $4 billion container export trade.

The US introduced strict controls over containers imported into the country after the September 2001 terrorist attacks which killed 3000 people.

The Americans now want containers sealed at their point of origin, and the contents detailed.

Containers would be marked with tamper-indicator seals.

A Border Security Bill was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday, which Mr Barker said was the first key step in meeting the US specifications.

It is hoped that instead of having to develop extensive checking facilities, including x-ray machines, at each port here, there would be one New Zealand-US Customs agreement.

He said New Zealand could not afford specific facilities at all its minor ports.

He said a system would be implemented where containers here were checked at the point where they were loaded, either by Customs or other officials such as Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry staff, and sealed.

New Zealand would also have portable x-raying equipment which could be transported to ports as required.

He said that should allow New Zealand to assure US Customs that containers from here were secure.

The US had generally introduced US-individual port agreements with other nations, but with New Zealand it was likely to be a nation-to-nation deal.

"Smaller ports like Port Chalmers really wouldn't rate, and without this system it would be almost impossible for them to get goods into the US," Barker said.

"This would have severe implications for New Zealand's provincial economies."

He said talks were still being held with US officials, but it was thought the "New Zealand solution" would be acceptable.

Without a security pass, containers could still be sent to the US but would face lengthy delays at that end before they were cleared.