Latest news with #WCO

Uisce Éireann accused of being ‘misleading' and ‘selective' on reasons behind Wexford hosepipe ban

Irish Independent

6 days ago

Climate
Irish Independent

Uisce Éireann accused of being ‘misleading' and ‘selective' on reasons behind Wexford hosepipe ban

A water conservation order will be in place as Wexford welcomes some 650,000 visitors for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Wexford People Traditionally speaking the sunshine capital of Ireland, it has to be said that Wexford has enjoyed some fine weather of late. There were a couple of sweltering days in the garden before things clouded over a little and we began to see some sporadic showers again. A couple of fine days aside, there were still more than a few raised eyebrows as Uisce Éireann announced that Co Wexford is to fall under a 'water conservation order' (WCO) or hosepipe ban. Many certainly felt that summer hadn't yet delivered the weather to put us into drought territory.

Local environmentalist concerned by low water level in Oldman River

Hamilton Spectator

05-06-2025

Science
Hamilton Spectator

Local environmentalist concerned by low water level in Oldman River

Lori Goater peers out from her kitchen table to the dwindling Oldman River, which should be flowing with ample water, has slowly been getting smaller which can be easily noticed during times of drought such as the last couple of years. Goater, who has a master's degree in science with a focus on biology, has been concerned about the water levels for many years. She wants to send a warning of what is happening, especially during times of drought, and the impact the dam has on the river. The Oldman River dam was completed in 1992 as a way to regulate the flow of the river to help make the water supply more reliable especially during the late summer and fall months. When rivers naturally flow during the spring, they are higher, as the snow from the watershed melts and flows into the river. But as the summer months progress, the river dries up. Natural rivers have a dynamic system that can easily adapt to changes, such as drought. Unfortunately, man-made systems, if not regulated properly, can disrupt a river's natural flow and make it less adaptable for change. The Oldman River also runs through Cottonwood Park. With cottonwood trees only lasting 60-100 years, the seedlings would disperse from the trees and into the river, and as the river levels would decrease, the seedlings would catch root on the banks, yet still be able to reach the water. As the water levels have slowly declined, Goater has noticed there are very few new trees growing in Cottonwood Park. When the Old Man River dam was created, many government scientists were on board with protecting the river, creating legislation such as the Water Act, Water Conservation Objective (WCO) which was arbitrarily set at the lowest amount of water needed to sustain the river. Below the range is called the Instream Objective, which is just deep enough to keep intake pipes submerged and have enough flow to prevent fish from stranding. The WCO was meant to be updated after more information was gathered as to how to keep the river healthy, but unfortunately it wasn't, says Goater. This year in particular, the Oldman has been below the WCO since April and daily flows during May have barely met the Instream Objective, sometimes not even reaching it. Goater is worried if the flow is too low for too long, it can cause issues with water quality and also cause with the structure of the river and riverbeds. 'If you keep the flow at this level for long periods of time, the river basically entrenches itself and it doesn't support any oof the stuff that's on the stream banks, so you don't have as much resiliency.' She adds that if the river entrenches itself, it won't be able to have enough vegetation to trap sediment, which will then cause it to not be able to support spawning beds for fish. Then there is concern about sunlight reaching the bottom of the river, which will allow algae to grow. Goater says that will affect how people use the river for recreation. 'You lose all sorts of other things, like you can't boat in it, there's fewer fish and they're stressed out, so you shouldn't be fishing them, even if they are there.' Goater hopes to bring awareness to what is happening to educate about the fragile state the river is in due to overconsumption of water from the dam. 'Understanding that this is not a natural system, first of all, and that it's fragile and we are in a particularly fragile state right now.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

[Contribution] KCS steps up to navigate ‘fog of war' in global tariffs

Korea Herald

04-06-2025

Business
Korea Herald

[Contribution] KCS steps up to navigate ‘fog of war' in global tariffs

Carl von Clausewitz, the German military theorist, introduced the concept of the "Fog of War" in his seminal work "On War." He described war as a realm of unpredictable uncertainty, where quick and accurate judgment by commanders is crucial amid incomplete information and unforeseen variables. Today, the rapidly shifting US tariff policies and the responses from major economies have created a global trade environment reminiscent of Clausewitz's fog-covered battlefield. In a global economy where visibility is limited and uncertainty prevails, Korean businesses must work to reduce unpredictability while strengthening their strategic decision-making and judgment capabilities. In this context, a clear understanding of tariff classification and rules of origin becomes a crucial first step in navigating the uncertainty sparked by President Trump's tariff policies. Tariff classification is the process of assigning serial numbers to imported and exported goods based on standards set by the World Customs Organization (WCO). These numbers not only determine applicable tariff rates but also dictate various import and export requirements. While WCO provides a unified framework, individual countries often interpret and apply these standards differently. As a result, the same product can be assigned different codes in different countries. Since March, the US has imposed a 25 percent tariff on certain items, including steel and aluminum derivatives. The challenge arises because the US applies these tariffs using its own classification system, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). For Korean companies accustomed to Korea's classification system, determining whether their products fall under US tariff targets is not always clear-cut. As tariff differences grow sharper depending on product classification, businesses now face greater pressure to ensure accurate and strategic classification of their goods. The importance of rules of origin has also risen significantly under the evolving US tariff regime. Under the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement, product origin has traditionally been determined using rules such as the change in tariff classification criterion or value content criterion. However, recent US measures have shifted this to the Substantial Transformation Criterion, even for items subject to bilateral tariffs, regardless of FTA rules. Under this standard, US customs authorities determine origin based on whether a product has undergone substantial changes in name, use, or character. The lack of clear, consistent case rulings makes it extremely difficult for businesses to predict outcomes. Moreover, Korean companies may suffer indirect harm — such as customs delays or post-entry verifications — if products from other countries with higher tariff rates are fraudulently labeled as Korean to evade duties. In response to such uncertainty, the Korea Customs Service established the KCS Response Headquarters for Global Tariff Changes and Domestic Industry Protection (K-GTR H.Q.s) on March 28. This task force goes beyond simply providing information. It functions as a comprehensive, proactive unit managing international cooperation, preemptive customs and tax risk assessments, close business support, and crackdowns on illegal circumvention of trade laws. Since its launch, the K-GTR H.Q.s has prioritized resolving uncertainties surrounding tariff classifications and rules of origin while supporting corporate decision-making. It has swiftly distributed correlation charts between Korean and US tariff codes for key items such as steel, aluminum derivatives, automobiles, and auto parts. To further ease classification-related confusion, it introduced fast-track pre-ruling procedures and expanded consultation services with the US tariff classification center. In the area of origin rules, the headquarters has begun immediate information sharing on non-preferential rules of origin and case rulings that can assist business planning. Customized consulting and preventive inspections are also underway to help firms comply. To prevent Korean exports from being harmed by falsely labeled foreign goods, the Korea Customs Service is intensifying inspections — particularly in cooperation with US Customs and Border Protection and industry associations — on critical sectors like steel and furniture, which are vulnerable to origin fraud. Looking ahead, the Korea Customs Service aims to continue serving as a reliable guide for Korean exporters amid the turbulent waves of global tariff conflicts. It plans to provide ongoing classification information for US-targeted sectors such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals and to roll out notification services for potential violations of origin rules, particularly for companies handling steel and aluminum derivative products. Waiting for the fog to lift will not lead to a path forward. Someone must carry the light and lead the way. The Korea Customs Service pledges to be that light, helping Korean businesses move forward with confidence, even through the haze of uncertainty.

Morocco's customs authority launches AI-driven risk analysis project

Ya Biladi

30-05-2025

Business
Ya Biladi

Morocco's customs authority launches AI-driven risk analysis project

The Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII) recently announced the launch of a project, in partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), aimed at integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into customs risk analysis and management processes. Aligned with ADII's strategic plan through 2028, this initiative focuses on targeting and predictive analysis as part of an advanced digitalization effort to enhance customs control efficiency and facilitate lawful trade, according to an official statement. At the project's launch ceremony, presided over by ADII Director General Abdellatif Amrani, participants discussed key strategic issues related to the use of big data, AI, and machine learning in customs risk management. They also reviewed ongoing digital transformation projects led by ADII and explored how these efforts will be consolidated within the new initiative. In this context, a first technical mission led by international experts accredited by the WCO took place at ADII headquarters from May 19 to 23. This mission assessed current progress in automated data processing and risk targeting, laying the groundwork for a structured action plan to guide the project's next phases. The ADII welcomed this trilateral cooperation, viewing it as recognition of its commitment to building an intelligent, proactive, and forward-looking customs system, the statement emphasized. The launch event was notably attended by the Swiss Ambassador to Morocco, Valentin Zellweger, along with senior officials from the WCO and ADII.

Scoop

28-05-2025

General
Scoop

Land And Freshwater Plan Change Refocused

Press Release – Tasman District Council A separate plan change PC87 will address priority issues for land activities in Tasman, targeting recontouring and contaminated soil management. Ongoing delays and uncertainty with national freshwater regulation have been challenging for the Council and a decision was made on 9 May to pause the Land and Freshwater Plan Change (PC84) until clear Government direction and new legislation is received. However, Council has obligations under the Water Conservation Order (WCO) for Te Waikoropupū Springs and aquifer, as well as other priority issues to address that cannot wait. As a result, PC84 will be refocused on freshwater protections to support the WCO. This change will put in place policy and rules to manage water and land use activities, and their associated discharges, in the recharge area for the Wharepapa Arthur Marble Aquifer to help protect the flows and water quality at the Springs. It will also create a nutrient management framework for farming and forestry in the recharge area to help achieve nitrate reduction at the Springs. A separate plan change PC87 will address priority issues for land activities in Tasman, targeting recontouring and contaminated soil management. We are working to get both plan changes notified this year before the Local Government elections to avoid further delay. Once the plan changes are notified, community members will have the chance to share their views and participate in the process by making formal submissions. Further information on the WCO and workstreams to support protection of the Springs is available on Council's website, as well as further information on the PC84 and PC87 processes.