THE Fukushima nuclear plant, pictured last year, which was the source of a major nuclear leak in 2011 that has led to concerns over cargo shipments from Japan.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE BAHAMAS Customs Department does not test cargo shipments for radiation contamination, Comptroller Charles Turner confirmed yesterday.
Following reports last week that Jamaican Customs authorities have recorded ‘higher-than-normal’ levels of radiation in two shipments from Japan, Mr Turner said he was “not aware of any checks being undertaken in the Bahamas”.
According to The Gleaner, Jamaica Customs Agency has been on “high alert” since the March 2011 earthquake-triggered meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan.
The JCA has been conducting the checks through a partnership with the United States Department of Energy, according to The Gleaner, which reported that tests are conducted on all vehicles and spare parts coming from Japan. The US department frequently visits to check on the operation of the programme and equipment, with the last visit in December, according to The Gleaner.
Questions forwarded to the US Embassy concerning whether or not a similar programme is being employed in the Bahamas were not answered before press time.
Jamaica’s discovery came days after reports that Russian authorities banned more than 100 used Japanese vehicles from entering the country, stating “radioactive pollution concerns”.
Jamaica’s first case involved a minibus imported by a local used-car dealer in November 2012, according to The Gleaner.
The article added: “The most recent case, according to Assistant Commissioner of Customs Velma Ricketts, came last month when a trans-shipment container carrying used motor-vehicle parts destined for Guyana was scanned at the Kingston Container Terminal and its radiation levels was determined to be “elevated”.
According to the report, both shipments have been quarantined and will be returned to Japan.
Comments
JohnDoes 10 years, 10 months ago
Of course something bad has to happen before they even think to check. That is the nature of our various implementations.
Reality_Check 10 years, 10 months ago
We can't afford the equipment needed to check radiation levels because the U.S. Govt has our Bahamian spending $63 million plus on a FATCA reporting system to help the U.S. collect taxes from its own dishonest citizenry without any benefit whatsoever for the Bahamas. Our stupid Bahamian Govt should have negotiated an arrangement whereby our Public Treasury collects 50 cents for every dollar we help the U.S. Govt collect from its own tax cheats, with the U.S. Govt picking up the costs of everything the Bahamian Govt must do in order to allow the U.S. Govt to go after its own tax cheating citizenry.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 10 months ago
Knowing how many Japan Direct type vehicles come through here, and how dirt cheap the vehicles are...this is a very scary concept. I have not bought any of the Japan used imports before...but you can guarantee I won't be buying one anytime soon!!
bigbadbob 10 years, 10 months ago
I bought a radiation meter for 200.00 radix I checked imported sea food for radiation before I buy it and no radiation so far . our background radiation in Bahamas is low at .08 usver so it only costs 200 bucks why not check incoming shipments .
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