The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is implementing its Bioterrorism Act on 12th December 2003. This act, prompted by the events of 11th September 2001, aims to increase US border security by requiring all traders to register their facilities with the FDA and file prior notice before any goods will be released for any onward movement from the first (air)port of entry. It will apply to all food for human and animal consumption being imported or offered for import into the United States (although food taken in individual travellers' accompanied baggage for personal consumption and meat, poultry and egg products are excluded).
From 12th October 2003, traders are expected to be able to register free of charge electronically or on paper, when they must name a US agent, even if their products are actually being shipped by another non-US supplier.
In order to provide information about these rules to the public and to answer questions about the act, the FDA is holding a public meeting via satellite downlink. It will take place on Tuesday 28th October between 13:00 and 15:00 Eastern Standard Time. A transcript of the meeting will be available on the FDA's website (http://www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html (Link to an external site - Disclaimer 
)), where further details of this meeting and of the Bioterrorism Act can be found. In the UK you can contact Kathleen Wright or Chris Heslop at the US Embassy on 020 7493 4599.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 47, October/November 2003
