Israel to implement ISPM 15 wood packaging treatment rules on October 1

Jul 21, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The Israeli Plant Protection Authorities will accept imported wood packaging without additional documents, Port2Port reported. Israel's Ministry of Agriculture said last week that it will implement, effective Oct. 1, the international standards for importing and exporting wood packaging. The ISPM (International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures) 15 requires wood packaging makers / shippers to use either a standard heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation procedure. For either treatment, wood packaging must be visibly marked. The mark, which is approved by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), identifies the treatment facility, country and producer codes. The statement noted that the Israeli Plant Protection Authorities will accept imported wood packaging without additional documents. The statement of the Ministry warned that arrangements to have the noncompliant wood packaging materials exported from the country would be required before the approved cargo can be released to the consignee. All costs related to this process will also be the full responsibility of the importer.