phytosanitary import legislation in october 2005 the european communities reported that this trade concern had been raised bilaterally on several occasions since 1984. draft import legislation had been provided to the european communities in november 2003. its revision which addressed some of the comments made by the european communities in may 2004 had been issued in january 2005 to be presented for revision approval and publication by the israeli competent authorities. however the legislation was still at the draft stage despite repeated promises by israel that a final text would be published in 2005. the european communities considered that the lack of phytosanitary legislation contravened article 7 of the sps agreement and created unpredictability for ec exporters of plants and plant products. furthermore the draft import legislation maintained the system of import licenses and permits currently imposed by israel. israel indicated that these concerns would be transmitted to the relevant israeli authorities and addressed as soon as possible. in march 2006 the european communities noted that the continuing absence of phytosanitary import legislation in israel led to uncertainty for ec exporters and was in contradiction with international standards. although some corrective actions had been taken by israel the legislation continued to be in a draft stage and final approval by israels relevant authorities was still pending. the european communities urged israel to adopt national legislation containing phytosanitary import requirements as soon as possible. israel stressed its full commitment to comply with the obligations of the sps agreement. israel was aware of the importance of a coherent and transparent legislation to allow the smooth development of international trade. israel had informed its trading partners that new and comprehensive draft legislation was under preparation. this legislation would be submitted to israels newly elected parliament. israel had undertaken measures which showed its willingness to respond to its trading partners concerns. in june 2006 the european communities complained that israels phytosanitary import legislation was still at a draft stage although efforts were being made to publish the final legislation. the european communities invited israel to finally adopt this legislation. israel explained that the plant protection and inspection services of israel were revising and modifying israels import regulations for plants and plant products. the regulations had existed since 1971 and had been revised and modified since then to comply with the sps agreement. various products and commodities were allowed according to their phytosanitary risk and imports permits for new products were granted after a pest risk analysis. the revision process which required attention to hundreds of products was taking longer than expected. the import requirements for most products were already specified in the import permits and could be found on the website of the ministry of agriculture but the interagency legislative process had not yet been completed. the ministry of agriculture was expected to send its final draft phytosanitary import legislation to the ministry of justice within weeks then the draft would be sent to the israeli parliament. israels plant protection and inspection services were doing their utmost to facilitate trade with the european communities and with other trading partners. in february 2007 the european communities noted that israels lack of phytosanitary legislation lead to uncertainty and unpredictability regarding the steps to be followed when exported products reached the market. israel had taken some actions to increase transparency by publishing some import requirements on the internet. however it appeared that the legislation was still at a draft stage and the european communities requested israel to finalize its legislation in accordance with the ippc standards. israel