The EU will ban the import of Israeli-grown solidago flowers to EU member countries after several shipments to the EU were found to be contaminated with Bemisia tabaci (White Fly).
Solidago is one of Israel's main export flowers, with 100 million stems exported annually. At a value of around US$15.21 million.
Israeli officials said such a ban would cause serious economic damages and financial losses to flower growers.
A delegation of EU inspection service visited Israel and presented its findings to officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, demanding that Israel take immediate action to combat the pest, which is known to carry various viruses, some of which are not found in Europe.
The Israeli extension service is applying new cultivation technologies aimed at keeping solidago flowers free of the White Fly, in order to prevent further losses to the growers.
No comments yet