Border Inspection Research Articles

Implementation of a pilot checklist for control standardization on fishery goods consignments at the Livorno border control post

To standardize control activities, it is necessary to introduce checklists to support the control of consignments entering the European Union through border control posts (BCPs). This study aimed to develop a pilot checklist for the control of fishery consignments, preliminarily identified as the predominant group of goods entering the Livorno (Italy) BCP. The design of the pilot checklist was preceded by i) a revision of the current European and national legislation on the general and specific objectives of border control activities on fishery products and ii) a comparative analysis of two checklists (one of the Ministry of Health and one of the former Livorno border inspection post) developed on the basis of the repealed legislation. This comparison aimed to define the pilot checklist structure, verification objectives, and selection of assessment scores to be included in defining consignment compliance and acceptability. Once developed, the clarity and ease of use of the first draft of the pilot checklist were verified through its use in a field test during the control of 64 fishery product consignments. 22 regulatory sources (18 European and 4 national) were selected as reference legislation. The pilot checklist was structured as a dynamic “read-do” document based on the workflow of control activities described in the current legislation. The field test was useful in improving the clarity of the verification objectives within the documentary, identity, and physical control sections and in facilitating the use of the checklist and the collection of evidence during the control activity. This study, which focused on fishery products, can provide a practical approach for the development of checklists for all the other goods categories under the responsibility of BCPs.

Efficient border biosecurity inspection leverages superspreading to reduce biological invasion risk.

Biological invasions are a growing threat to biodiversity, food security, and economies. Rising pressure from increased global trade requires improving border inspection efficiency. Here, we depart from the conventional consignment-by-consignment approach advocated in current inspection standards. Instead, we suggest a broader perspective: evaluating border inspection regimes based on their ability to reduce propagule pressure across entire pathways. Additionally, we demonstrate that most biosecurity pathways exhibit superspreading behavior, that is, consignments from the same pathway have varying infestation rates and contain rare right-tail events (also called overdispersion). We show that greater overdispersion leads to more pronounced diminishing returns, with consequences on the optimal allocation of sampling effort. We leverage these two insights to develop a simple and efficient border inspection regime that can significantly reduce propagule pressure compared to current standards. Our analysis revealed that consignment size is a key driver of biosecurity risk and that sampling proportional to the square root of consignment size is near optimal. In testing, our framework reduced propagule pressure by 31 to 38% compared to current standards. We also identified opportunities to further improve inspection efficiency by considering additional pathway characteristics (i.e., overdispersion parameters, zero inflation, relative risk, sampling cost, detectability) and developed solutions for these more complex scenarios. We anticipate our result will mitigate biological invasion risk with significant implications for biodiversity conservation, food security, and economiesworldwide.

Hazards reported on food of plant origin in the Rapid Alert System for Foodand Feed (RASFF) from 1997 to 2021 and their occurrence, prevention and reduction

Between 1997 and 2021 notifications for foods of plant origin covered 44.6% of all notifications in the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). A two-way joining cluster analysis for notifications on plants reported in the RASFF in 1997–2021 was carried out. The following variables were considered: hazard, product category and country of origin in relation to year of notification. In the period studied mainly mycotoxins, pesticide residues and pathogenic micro-organisms were reported. The most frequently notified product categories were nuts and seeds, fruit and vegetables and herbs and spices. The submitted products originated from Asian, African and South-American countries. The study findings were followed by a literature analysis outlining the occurrence and prevention and reduction possibilities of the mentioned hazards, which can be used in these countries. Attention was drawn to the need to carry out controls at EU border inspection posts, monitor and update hazard limits and improve the rapid exchange of information and response to detected hazards.

Association Between Inter-Agencies Cooperation and Border Governance of Nepal

Border agency cooperation is the process by which different agencies joins together for the purpose of attaining a common goal in building efficiencies for facilitating international trade, cross border travel by improving cross border security. The government of Nepal has established different agencies to enhance border governance. The purpose of this article is to analyze the relationship between inter-agency cooperation and border governance of Nepal. The research follows a sequential explanatory research design using primary and secondary data. Primary data are extracted from stratified sampling technique using five point likert-scale questionnaires where 202 responses were acquired. The findings show that there is a positive relationship between independent variables of inter-agencies cooperation and border governance of Nepal. Furthermore, inter-agency cooperation and border governance have a positive correlation coefficient of 0.391 at 1 percent level of significant. The regression analysis show interagency cooperation has 30 percent effect in border governance of Nepal. The beta value shows one unit of change in inter-agency cooperation will bring 0.523 unit of change in border governance of Nepal. The study suggest on enhancing information, intelligence & data exchange program on daily basis and improvement on mutual negotiation, synchronized border inspection, and mutual trust within the border governing agencies for maintaining good border governance of Nepal by enhancing service delivery.

Residue analysis of nitrofuran metabolites in five food commodities from Croatia using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

The aim of the current study was to validate a screening and confirmatory method for the determination of nitrofuran residues: 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), 3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ), 1-aminohydantoin (AHD), semicarbazide (SEM), 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazine (DNSAH), nifurpirinol (NPIR), nifuroxazide (metabolite 4-HBH), and nitrovin (metabolite AMG) in muscle, milk, eggs, honey, and casings, in accordance with the legislation 2002/657/EC and 2021/808/EC. Sample preparation included hydrolysis and derivatization, followed by ethyl acetate extraction and measurement by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Validation parameters specified in this method are specificity/selectivity, trueness, precision, decision limit (CCα), and detection capability (CCβ). In the screening method, the CCβ value ranged from 0.275 to 0.582 µg kg-1, while in the confirmatory method, the CCα value ranged from 0.264 to 0.407 µg kg-1. The recovery values ranged from 93.5% to 127.5%. A total of 497 routine samples from the National Residue Monitoring Control Plan (NRCP) and border inspection were analysed from 2021 to 2022. SEM was detected in a total of 11 samples. Only four samples had a concentration above the Reference Point for Action (RPA = 0.5 µg kg-1). The validated method is suitable for monitoring nitrofuran residues at levels below the recently established RPA.

A systems approach to biosecurity pays off: a case study investigating introduction pathways and interceptions of non-indigenous species at a biosecurity border

Introduction pathway studies generally describe the diverse routes by which non-indigenous species (NIS) can be introduced but rarely consider multiple introduction pathways occurring simultaneously. In this study, multiple pathways of NIS introduction were investigated during an industrial development on a remote island off the Australian coast. Fifteen introduction pathways were categorized in association with importing locality and the type of cargo they transported. The number and types of detection events for each introduction pathway were recorded during biosecurity inspections, cargo clearances, and surveillance conducted between 2009 and 2015. In total, more than 600,000 biosecurity inspections were completed, with 5,328 border detection events recorded constituting less than 1% of the biosecurity inspections. The border inspection events were classified as animals, plant material, soil, and organic matter, with 60% identified as dead or non-viable and 40% as alive. Of those detections, 2153 were classified as NIS, consisting of 659 identified species. Live NIS detected at the border constituted only 2% of the detections. Cargo vessel and inward-bound passenger numbers peaked during the major construction period and were associated with an increase in the number of live NIS detections. All introduction pathways have complexities, unique structural aspects, and niche areas that supported NIS in surviving the effects of treatment and evading detection during the mandatory compliance inspection. This study highlights that biosecurity incursions can be minimized if a systems approach is adopted to complement traditional and other biosecurity surveillance measures.

A full genome tiling array enhanced the inspection and quarantine of SARS-CoV-2

As the worldwide spreading epidemic of SARS-CoV-2, quick inspection and quarantine of passengers for SARS-CoV-2 infection are essential for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2, especially the cross-border transmission. This study reports a SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing method based on a re-sequencing tiling array successfully used in border inspection and quarantine. The tiling array chip has four cores, with one core of 240,000 probes dedicated to the whole genome sequencing of the SAR-CoV-2 genome. The assay protocol has been improved to reduce the detection time to within one day and can detect 96 samples in parallel. The detection accuracy has been validated. This fast and simple procedure is also of low cost and high accuracy, and it is particularly suitable for the rapid tracking of viral genetic variants in custom inspection applications. Combining these properties means this method has significant application potential in the clinical investigation and quarantine of SARS-CoV-2. We used this SARS-CoV-2 genome re-sequencing tiling array to inspect and quarantine China's entry and exit ports in the Zhejiang Province. From November 2020 to January 2022, we observed the gradual shift of SARS-CoV-2 variants from the D614G type to the Delta Variant, and then to the dominance of the Omicron variant recently, consistently with the global emergency pattern of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant.

Info-gap theory to determine cost-effective eradication of invasive species

Invasive species eradication campaigns often fail due to stochastic arrival events, unpredictable detectability and incorrect resource allocation. Severe uncertainty in model parameter estimates may skew the eradication policy results. Using info-gap decision theory, this research aims to provide managers with a method to quantify their confidence in realizing successful eradication of particular invasive species within their specified eradication budgets (i.e. allowed eradication cost) in face of information-gaps. The potential introduction of the Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus to Barrow Island, Australia is used as a case study to illustrate the model. Results of this research demonstrate that, more robustness to uncertainty in the model parameters can be earnt by (1) increasing the allowed eradication cost (2) investment in pre-border quarantine and border inspection (i.e. prevention) or (3) investment in post-border detection surveillance. The combination of a post-border spatial dispersal model and info-gap decision theory demonstrates a novel and spatially efficient method for managers to evaluate the robustness of eradication policies for incursion of invasive species with unexpected behaviour. These methods can be used to provide insight into the success of management goals, in particular the eradication of invasive species on islands or in broader mainland areas. These insights will assist in avoiding eradication failure and wasteful budget allocation and labour investment.

The Bugs in the Bags: The Risk Associated with the Introduction of Small Quantities of Fruit and Plants by Airline Passengers.

Simple SummaryThis study was carried out with the aim of emphasizing the importance of checking the plant material that can be imported in the baggage of airline passengers. Travelers are often unaware of the regulations in place and of the risks connected with such importation. The risk of the introduction of harmful organisms correlated with this pathway is yet not well studied and its frequency is underestimated. The results of the research underline the need for continuous checks at entry points and the establishment of a specialized position for inspections.Among European countries, Italy is the most exposed to the risk of biological invasions, principally for its numerous entry points (ports and airports) and for climatic conditions favorable for the acclimatization of several invasive species. Here it was assessed that the greatest threats to our agro-ecosystems come mainly from the passenger baggage in which a variety of fruits and vegetables are carried. From 2016 to 2021, large quantities of plant products were found in the luggage of passengers travelling from outside the EU and seized at the BCPs (border control posts) in the Campania region. Inspections and the following laboratory analyses were conducted on the plant material to assess the presence of exotic pests. Inspections led to several non-native species being recorded, and among the intercepted organisms, some should be considered “alarming”, such as Bactrocera dorsalis, Anastrepha obliqua, and Leucinodes africensis. Despite a well-organized border inspection system, travelers transporting infested material unknowingly contribute to increasing the risk of the introduction of exotic species. Given the current situation, it is necessary to impose stricter controls and greater attention, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the new phytosanitary regulations by the actors involved in the transport of plant material. Finally, it is essential to improve awareness through a phytosanitary campaign on plant health risks, especially for people wishing to transport fruits and vegetables in their luggage.

Zoonotic Pathogens in Frozen Red and Poultry Meat imports to Jordan in the period 2015¬-2019: Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7

Jordan's Food and Drug Administration Laboratories are responsible for the surveillance of zoonoses in frozen meat imports. Results from the surveillance are stored in Laboratory Food Examination System (LFES) portal. In the period from 2015 to 2019, there was an apparent decrease in the occurrence of microbiological pathogens in imported meat and meat products. Poultry meat was the main product not fulfilling the criteria for compliment. The dominant detected pathogen was Salmonella Typhimurium. The other detected pathogens were Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Enteritidis. All red meats were tested for E. coli O157:H7 and there were no batches with positive findings. Overall, the occurrence of these pathogens has decreased in the period from 2015 to 2019, which is probably due to the enforcement of food safety guidelines and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point systems in the slaughterhouses in exporting countries. Still, the occurrence of microbiological pathogens in imported meat and meat products poses a risk for consumers in the region. Recommendations are required for the continuous evaluation and optimization of border inspection.

Design and performance evaluation of a 4[formula omitted]-view gamma camera with mosaic-patterned 3D position-sensitive scintillators

Gamma hotspots imaging is of dramatic demand in nuclear-related industrial and homeland security activities such as nuclear facilities monitoring, nuclear emergency response and border inspection. Gamma cameras with mechanical collimation (i.e., coded-aperture) have reduced sensitivity, limited FOV and are typically heavy-weighted. Compton cameras with electrical collimation can achieve higher sensitivity as well as being capable of performing portable 4π-view imaging. However, imageable isotopes of Compton cameras are limited to middle- or high-energy ones. We have previously proposed the concept to image gamma hotspots with a 3-D position-sensitive scintillation detector. This approach achieves high sensitivity, 4π-view FOV and is effective in a wide energy range. In this work, we present a novel gamma camera design aiming for high-resolution gamma imaging. The proposed detector consists of interspaced GAGG(Ce) scintillators that form a mosaic pattern, which is coupled to SiPM arrays on both ends. 3-D photon interaction position information is measured with a dual-end-readout technique. The measured interaction positions for detected photon events are rebinned into the projection data, and the gamma image is reconstructed using a maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) algorithm. We perform Monte Carlo simulations and experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed gamma camera design for imaging 99mTc and 137Cs sources. Results show that the proposed gamma camera achieves a positioning accuracy of less than 1° for a 99mTc source and 3° for a 137Cs source. It can clearly resolve two 99mTc sources with 10° separation and two 137Cs point sources with 23° separation, as well as a 2 × 6 99mTc point-source-array with 20° separation clearly. We conclude that the proposed gamma camera design is profitable in portability, FOV, sensitivity, image resolution and energy range. It has promising application potential in fast and accurate radiation monitoring tasks in nuclear security applications.

Ensemble Learning Models for Food Safety Risk Prediction

Ensemble learning was adopted to design risk prediction models with the aim of improving border inspection methods for food imported into Taiwan. Specifically, we constructed a set of prediction models to enhance the hit rate of non-conforming products, thus strengthening the border control of food products to safeguard public health. Using five algorithms, we developed models to provide recommendations for the risk assessment of each imported food batch. The models were evaluated by constructing a confusion matrix to calculate predictive performance indicators, including the positive prediction value (PPV), recall, harmonic mean of PPV and recall (F1 score), and area under the curve. Our results showed that ensemble learning achieved better and more stable prediction results than any single algorithm. When the results of comparable data periods were examined, the non-conformity hit rate was found to increase significantly after online implementation of the ensemble learning models, indicating that ensemble learning was effective at risk prediction. In addition to enhancing the inspection hit rate of non-conforming food, the results of this study can serve as a reference for the improvement of existing random inspection methods, thus strengthening capabilities in food risk management.

Risk management in border inspection

As part of their commitments under the WTO’s Agreement on Trade Facilitation, many developing countries will adopt risk management, a strategy for selecting import shipments for inspection. In this paper we formalize key enforcement issues related to risk management. We argue that the complexities of international trade oversight mean that inspecting agencies lack certainty about the conditional probability that a given shipment will comply with import regulations. Ambiguity of this sort is likely to be important in developing countries that lack the sophisticated information technology (IT) used in advanced risk management. We show empirically that infrequent shipments have conditionally higher inspection rates, a finding that is consistent with our ambiguity hypothesis. We formalize a role for ambiguity in a theoretical model of border inspection. We calibrate the model and shock the ambiguity parameters to illustrate the consequences of an IT-driven improvement in risk management capabilities for search and compliance.

Weed seed contamination in imported seed lots entering New Zealand.

Imports of seeds for sowing are a major pathway for the introduction of contaminant seeds, and many agricultural weeds globally naturalised originally have entered through this pathway. Effective management of this pathway is a significant means of reducing future plant introductions and helps minimise agricultural losses. Using a national border inspection database, we examined the frequency, origin and identity of contaminant seeds within seed for sowing shipments entering New Zealand between 2014–2018. Our analysis looked at 41,610 seed lots across 1,420 crop seed species from over 90 countries. Overall, contamination was rare, occurring in 1.9% of all seed lots. Among the different crop types, the arable category had the lowest percentage of seed lots contaminated (0.5%) and the forage category had the highest (12.6%). Crop seeds Capsicum, Phaseolus and Solanum had the lowest contamination rates (0.0%). Forage crops Medicago (27.3%) and Trifolium (19.8%) had the highest contamination rates. Out of 191 genera recorded as contaminants, Chenopodium was the most common. Regulated quarantine weeds were the rarest contaminant type, only occurring in 0.06% of seed lots. Sorghum halepense was the most common quarantine species and was only found in vegetable seed lots. Vegetable crop seed lots accounted for approximately half of all quarantine species detections, Raphanus sativus being the most contaminated vegetable crop. Larger seed lots were significantly more contaminated and more likely to contain a quarantine species than smaller seed lots. These findings support International Seed Testing Association rules on maximum seed lot weights. Low contamination rates suggest industry practices are effective in minimising contaminant seeds. Considering New Zealand inspects every imported seed lot, utilises a working sample size 5 times larger than International Seed Testing Association rules require, trades crop seed with approximately half of the world’s countries and imports thousands of crop seed species, our study provides a unique overview of contaminant seeds that move throughout the seed for sowing system.

Examining the role of border protectionism in border inspections: panel structural vector autoregression evidence from FDA import refusals on China's agricultural exports

PurposeAs technical barriers gradually become the important tools of trade protection, it is important to understand whether intensified enforcement of border controls is adopted as a hidden tool of trade protectionism and differs across periods and industries.Design/methodology/approachThis article applies a panel structural vector autoregression (PSVAR) model to investigate the potential role of trade protectionism motives in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) import refusals on China's agricultural exports, utilizing newly constructed monthly data at the industry level.FindingsThe results show that import refusal is mainly driven by the inspection history, highlighting the importance of the intrinsic product quality and maintaining an excellent inspection history in border inspection. The novel finding is that US employment contractions would also lead to a small increase in FDA import refusals, especially those taking place within ten months and made without sampling tests. Such an association is driven by industry-specific employment shocks and becomes stronger after the financial crisis. It is also more evident in industries where the US lacks competitiveness against China, being manufactured without mandatory safety regulations, and with negative skewness of employment growth.Originality/valueThis research is one of the preliminary attempts to understand whether the de facto border controls are worked as a hidden tool of protectionism to agricultural products, and what the specific trajectory and duration of the impacts at the monthly level. This study provides empirical evidence showing the role of protectionism motives in FDA import refusals and is heterogeneous across industries, which generate new insights and policy implications to predict and cope with additional barriers on agricultural trade.

A Seasonal Study of Koi Herpesvirus and Koi Sleepy Disease Outbreaks in the United Kingdom in 2018 Using a Pond-Side Test.

Simple SummaryCyprinid herpesvirus (CyHV)-3 and carp edema virus (CEV), the causative agents of koi herpesvirus disease and koi sleepy disease, respectively, are emerging DNA viruses infecting koi and common carp. Similarities in their clinical presentation present difficulties for its on-site identification based on gross pathology. Fluorescence real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for detecting CyHV-3 and CEV DNA were designed to use border inspection posts and local testing by national authorities for outbreak control. The limit of these tests’ detection (102 and 103 viral copies for CyHV-3 and CEV, respectively) allows for the amplification of viral DNA in clinical samples in less than 20 min. The assays’ field performance was tested with 63 common carp mucus swabs taken during disease investigations in 2018, and the results validated with the reference laboratory analysis. Overall, the good performance, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness of these tests make them good candidates for a point of care test. However, further work is required to incorporate reliable internal controls and improve the sensitivity of these tests’ asymptomatic testing.Fluorescence real-time LAMP assays were designed for the orf43 gene of CyHV-3 European genotype and the p4a gene of the CEV genogroup I. A third LAMP assay to detect the ef1a gene of the host common carp was designed as an internal control. The limit of detection was 102 and 103 viral copies under 25 min for CyHV-3 and CEV, respectively. The specificity of the CyHV-3 LAMP assay was 95.6% of 72 fish herpesviruses tested. Sixty-three non-lethal common carp mucus swabs were collected across 16 sites during disease investigations. DNA extractions were performed in under 10 min using the QuickExtract™ digestion buffer. The LAMP amplification of CyHV-3 DNA in mucus swabs from clinical cases was detected from 4 to 13 min in 13 sites, while a co-infection of CyHV-3 and CEV was confirmed by LAMP in a single site. The LAMP results agreed with the results of the reference laboratory. The common carp ef1a was amplified only in 61% of the mucus swabs collected, preventing its use as a robust internal control to distinguish false negatives from invalid tests. After further optimization, these tests could be implemented for border inspection posts surveillance and decentralizing testing during disease outbreaks.

Exploring the Bridge Cases' Role in the Transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant - Ruili City, Yunnan Province, China, July-September 2021.

What is already known about this topic?The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant has proved to have increased transmissibility, and mutations that can cause partial immune escape, which makes its transmission more insidious.What is added by this report?This study showed that probable cases who had negative results in nucleic acid testing but had positive IgM test result and/or IgG test value of over 20 S/CO in antibodies testing, might serve as bridges in the Delta variant’s transmission chain.What are the implications for public health practice?In border inspection and quarantine, tests for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies should be strengthened alongside nucleic acid tests to prevent probable cases with transmission potential from crossing the land border into China. In contact tracing investigations, the bridging role of probable cases should be considered to reconstruct the transmission chain.

Risk Management in Border Inspection

As part of their commitments under the WTO's Agreement on Trade Facilitation, many developing countries will adopt risk management, a strategy for selecting import shipments for inspection. In this paper we formalize key enforcement issues related to risk management. We argue that the complexities of international trade oversight mean that inspecting agencies lack certainty about the conditional probability that a given shipment will comply with import regulations. Ambiguity of this sort is likely to be important in developing countries that lack the sophisticated information technology (IT) used in advanced risk management. We show empirically that infrequent shipments have conditionally higher inspection rates, a finding that is consistent with our ambiguity hypothesis. We formalize a role for ambiguity in a theoretical model of border inspection. We calibrate the model and shock the ambiguity parameters to illustrate the consequences of an IT-driven improvement in risk management capabilities for search and compliance.

Виявлення фальсифікації меду домішкою натрію гідрокарбонату із застосуванням індикатора бромтимолового синього

A method for detecting honey falsification with sodium bicarbonate, added deliberately to reduce the mass fraction of water in honey, increase its density and consistency, eliminate signs of fermentation and reduce contamination by microorganisms, has been substantiated. The used indicator is bromothymol blue alcohol solution with a mass concentration of 0.01% in an amount of 2-3 drops. In the absence of sodium bicarbonate admixture in honey, the colour of the solution is olive; in case of the sodium bicarbonate addition up to 1.0% of the honey volume - it turns light blue; from 1.1 to 2.0% – sky blue; from 2.1 to 3.0% – dark blue. The proposed method is reliable, fast, easy to carry out, does not require a lot of cost for reagents and can be used in combination with other methods for determining the safety and quality of honey, as well as detecting its falsifications. The developed method can be used to detect honey falsification with sodium bicarbonate when determining its safety and quality in production laboratories at facilities for the production of honey and apiproducts, supermarkets, wholesale depots, stores, state laboratories of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection (SSUFSCP), in government laboratories, in laboratories at designated border inspection posts when carrying out simple laboratory tests using express methods, as well as during the forensic examination of honey. Based on the results of the developed author’s method, it is possible to obtain qualitative characteristics for assessing the honey safety and its quality. The possibility of using an express and effective control system within the framework of simple laboratory tests at designated border inspection posts will allow the implementation of an effective food control system at the stage of their state border verification. Establishing mismatches at the stage of border control and sending laboratory samples for extended laboratory studies (tests) to the state laboratory of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, will strengthen the effectiveness of the control system at the stage of early detection of insecurity indicators and prevent the products release that do not meet safety and quality characteristics into circulation. The development of a methodological concept and the creation of a base of methods for detecting honey falsification will contribute to the distribution of safe and high-quality products for consumers, systematization of simple methods for food products study, including honey, in laboratories at designated border inspection posts, during the implementation of state control measures at the Ukrainian state border, will increase the reliability, objectivity and accuracy of the results of the examination, in case of carrying out.

Monorails as international transborder links. The El Paso-Ciudad Juárez monorail proposal, 1964–1976

The paper uses primary and secondary sources to analyse the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez binational monorail project from 1964 to 1976 within the overall context of the growth of the cities as urban centres and the development of cross-border public transit links. The most significant of the earlier ties was the international streetcar line, which functioned for over 90 years and was a predecessor to the monorail project. The paper examines the complexities of negotiating and building an international transport project of this nature as well as the principal business and political directors of the El Paso International Monorail Corporation (IMC) and its Juárez counterpart, Monorriel Internacional (MI). It concludes with an assessment of the current outlook for cross-border mass transit projects in the light of the notable increment in USA border security and inspection controls of recent decades.