U.S., CANADA SIGN BORDER SECURITY AGREEMENT

U.S., CANADA SIGN BORDER SECURITY AGREEMENT    U.S. Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister John Manley on Friday signed an agreement for a program meant to secure the nations’ borders while allowing the unhindered movement of legitimate trade.
   The program, “Free and Secure Trade” (FAST), is a public-private partnership shared between the two countries and companies who commit to improve their supply chain security.
   Ridge said FAST would make many cross-border commercial shipments move faster, while providing a simpler clearance process for shipments deemed as lower risk.
   In implementing the program, both countries will identify and screen high-risk cargo before it arrives in either country. FAST will align how both countries process all commercial shipments — by truck, plane or ship — through the use of compatible security procedures to follow when importing to either country. Pre-authorized drivers and carriers of low-risk shipments will use a dedicated lane for quicker border crossing.
   FAST is based on the countries’ public-private partnerships designed to improve supply chain security: the U.S.'s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, and Canada’s Customs Self Assessment and Partners in Protection.
   Ridge added that the two countries have initiated other programs to increase national security, such as the placement of Integrated Border Enforcement Teams at points of entry, and the enactment of a 30-point plan in December known as the Smart Border Declaration.
   “Our land border supports the largest trading relationship in the world,” said Ridge. “This process demonstrates how our two great countries can work together to strengthen our national and economic security.