Damian Viccars
- Director of Government Affairs, Europe
- World Shipping Council, Belgium
Damian Viccars joined the World Shipping Council as its Brussels Representative in 2012 and leads WSC’s governmental cooperation and advocacy in the European Union, liaising with the key EU Institutions of the Commission, Parliament and the Council representing Member States. He is also WSC’s representative to the WCO.
Damian has been working in transport and public affairs since 2001, developing expertise in political developments as well as in transport, customs and cargo and border security issues. In recent years he has led WSC’s EU liaison on illicit trade and drugs trafficking. A dual national UK / Belgian citizen, he holds a BA Honours degree in War Studies and History from Kings College, University of London and speaks English and French.
Sessions
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The Impact Border Security and Management Can Have on Environmental Sustainability
Industrial waste typically has a negative value – it costs businesses money to treat it in a way that is safe and does not harm the environment. Costs include treatment, technology and labour costs in line with national laws and environmental regulations. There is therefore an incentive for companies wishing to avoid these costs to export the waste to other countries with less strict environmental standards, or to illegally dump and dispose of such waste. Source: https://baselgovernance.org/
Illegal trafficking of wildlife one of the most profitable natural resource crimes. It involves the illegal harvesting, trapping or killing of many endangered species of animals or plants for sale to be used as medicine, food, or sold as pets.
Whether it is the trafficking in endangered wildlife or the illegal international trade in waste materials, much of it dangerous, border agencies are in the front line in helping to protect the environment.