Your help was crucial and helped me a lot.
I had last Wedensday a meeting with the chief plant health officers.
I was told that the Plant Health Law of 1956 is valid and no modifications are expected.
The Plant Health regulations are from 2009, contain 209 pages, and it took the legal procedure 20 years to confirm these in the Israeli Knesset=Parliament.
The regulations demand import permit+ phytosanitary document +and Damage Review Study before any species is allowed in. The fees\costs of these permits are far beyond the means of the local Israeli plant collector to deal with these authorities. Thus, most Israelis will continue to smuggle seeds. The issue of smuggling cuttings and plants is simply unthinkable.
They explained their concern from: pests, bacteri, fungii, viruses, viroids and mycoplasma. In some cases the officer will demand the seeds placed in a quarantine for 1-3 years on the expence of the importer.
There are 1 million seeds packages that are smuggled illegaly into Israel each year.
But a few thousands packs of illegal seeds are confiscated as the content SEEDS is registered on the envelope, or in the customs check ups.
Parcels may pass through if - gift, sample, papers is written on the pack.
I am against smuggling seeds and plants into Israel.
I think that thr regulations must change and I was told that in 2 years they will try a pass the changes in the Knesset. I was asked to collect public's ideas. I said that I would like them to adopt and adapt the USA Small Pack of Seeds Regulations you so kindly sent me that morning.
I was shown a few full bags of seeds confiscated the day before and most seemed to me OK in commercial tight sealed envelopes/packs.
No punishment is imposed on the smugglers.
The Plant Health Officers are members of most Plant Exchange forums and follow the sell-buy-exchange posts of the Israelis.
I was told that I can import seeds from Europe provided with phytosanitary documents and an import permit per each species. Import permits are issued within 45 days from the request.
It was agreed to further exchang ideas.
At the moment, Israelis will continue to smuggle seeds and I am against it.
Will further appreciate any comments
Ariel Shai
Israel