PRIVATE BOMB-SNIFFING CANINES TO MEET NEW REQUIREMENTS
May 17, 2017
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is pushing to regulate the certification of Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) teams owned, operated and trained by private companies. A TSA-approved certification program would allow EDC teams to participate in cargo screening operations. The TSA currently operates the TSA Canine Training Center which “trains and deploys both TSA-led and state and local law enforcement-led canine teams in support of day-to-day activities that protect the transportation domain [,]” according to the TSA website. The certification program does not call for EDCs to screen passenger aircraft.
The 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bills also call for the use of EDCs to augment TSA capabilities. This ultimately permits private industry to use third-party certified canines to meet TSA air cargo screening requirements in addition to the TSA Training Center. The bills were passed by both Houses of Congress. Most recently, TSA has conducted market surveys in order to assess the viability of EDCs working in conjunction with TSA canines. TSA has not announced a date for the certification program to go into effect. The use of specially trained dogs is one of several methods for screening air freight that are identified in the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act that was passed by Congress in 2007.
If you would like information on private companies that provide this service, please contact us. Some have advised they will provide free demonstrations of the types of services they can offer.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).
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