USDA decided to allow imports of fresh eggplant from Israel

The eggplant must be grown under a systems approach that includes requirements for pest exclusion at the production site and fruit fly trapping
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended its fruit and vegetable regulations to allow the importation of fresh eggplant from Israel.
 
The Department informed last November that considerations were underway and has issued a final rule, effective July 6, that will allow the importation into the continental U.S. of commercial consignments of fresh eggplant from Israel.
 
As a condition of entry, the eggplant must be grown under a systems approach that includes requirements for pest exclusion at the production site, fruit fly trapping inside and outside the production site, and pest-excluding packinghouse procedures.
 
The eggplant must also be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Israeli national plant protection organization with an additional declaration confirming that the eggplant has been produced in accordance with those requirements.