APHIS the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule that, effective July 7, will allow the import of female squash flowers from Israel into the continental United States.
APHIS notes that squash flowers have gained in popularity as an elegant way to garnish dishes, desserts and salads and as an ingredient in other dishes. The marketing of commercially grown edible flowers is typically directed to clientele at upscale restaurants.
As a condition of entry, female squash flowers from Israel will be subject to a systems approach that includes requirements for pest exclusion at the production site and fruit fly trapping and monitoring.
In addition, the flowers must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, an internationally accepted document, the purpose of which is to approve and attest the health of plants moving in international trade, issued by the national plant protection organization of Israel with an additional declaration that the flowers have been inspected and found free of quarantine pests.
APHIS noted that this action would allow for the importation of female squash flowers from Israel into the continental United States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.
