IS this going to make it harder to buy film?

[cmacd123]

In the name of "security" Transport Canada put up this crowd pleaser of an announcement.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2010-h063e-5951.htm

When I am buying film, I really hope that it is not subject to "X-ray" or physical (in the light) screening.

 

[Krzys]

I don't know but I fear that the more we talk about it and assure ourselves the more some crooks are going to get the bright idea to stash their items amongst film.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Well, I have been aware that narcotics have attempted to be smuggled into Australia in repackaged 35mm film containers and inside hollowed spools of 120 film. There is strong likelihood that film will be scrutinised in greater depth by Customs around now. Canada is on the ball, as most of the US is in toto. The crims are getting more sneaky and unfortunately photographers are getting caught up as innocent 'suspects'.

The narcotics case I learned of was found in film canisters (all film removed) originating from Bangkok in February.

 

[cmacd123]

Here is the response I got from my Politicians..

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Air cargo screening
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2011 14:57:18 -0500
From: Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities / Ministre
des Transports, de l'infrastructure et des Collectivités <MINTC@tc.gc.ca>
To: 'cmacd@



Mr. Charles MacDonald
cmacd@
Dear Mr. MacDonald:
I am writing in response to your correspondence of May 24, 2010, to the
former Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities regarding
the screening of silver-based photographic film shipped by air. The
Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities, has asked me to reply on his behalf, and I apologize for
the delay in doing so.
I should explain that Transport Canada is working with the aviation and
cargo industries to develop an air cargo security program that meets the
highest standards, while reducing risks to the safety and security of
the travelling public and keeping goods moving in and out of Canada
efficiently.
The Department’s air cargo security program recognizes the following
four approved methods of screening air cargo: physical search, x-ray
scanning, explosives trace detection, and explosives canine search.
Transport Canada is aware of the specific concerns of professional
photographers and cinematographers. With regard to the shipment of
photosensitive products through air cargo, the Department suggests
taking the following precautions:

* Never ship unexposed, exposed or unprocessed film or
photosensitive products without clearly identifying the contents
on the waybill.
* Depending on the type of film or product, clearly mark the
following warnings on the exterior of the cargo: “DO NOT X-RAY,”
“DO NOT PHYSICAL SEARCH” or “DO NOT X-RAY AND DO NOT PHYSICAL
SEARCH.”
* Request that the shipper only perform screening procedures that
consist of explosives trace detection or canine search. These
methods of inspection provide no risk to silver-based film or
other photosensitive products.
* In some cases, a physical search is safe. The decision on which
screening process to use is determined by the shipper.

For further information related to air cargo screening, I would invite
you to contact the Air Cargo Security Support Centre toll-free at
1-866-375-7342 or by email at
_aircargo-fretaerien@tc.gc.ca_ <mailto:aircargo-fretaerien@tc.gc.ca>.
Sincerely,
Laurie Throness
Chief of Staff

 

[Diapositivo]

Sounds like the old same political BS to assure the electorate about how vigilant the governement is about safety.

IMO the key of all the matter is:

Air carriers will continue to have ultimate responsibility to ensure that air cargo they take on board is secure, and will have the right to re-screen or refuse cargo whose security is suspect.


I do suspect that carriers have always had the right to refuse or rescreen cargo the security of which is suspect.

Also IMO the other key point is that:

Under the new Program, the Government will increase the scope of mandatory screening

Which means that wares coming from certain "risk" areas will have to be inspected more accurately. That means film coming from Japan should not stopover in Yemen.

Film shippers and distributors have certainly had to deal with those kind of difficulties in the past and found a way to save film from X-ray examination, or we couldn't use US or Japanese film here in Europe (one would suspect that, if film is shipped by air, it might easily pass through 3 or 4 airports from the US to a shop in Europe, that's the same for Japanese film).

Fabrizio

 

[canuhead]

Regardless, I think some of this information is worth keeping at hand. Could be useful if there's some disagreement with a shipper although it's nothing more than Transport Canada's suggestion.