Moving products from the West Bank to Israel and vice versa

While moving products from the West Bank to Israel and vice versa, restrictions are only imposed if the products contain reproductive elements which may contain viruses or the like.

Sample examination:

• Some samples are taken before harvesting (areas A, B and C). If the results are positive, a marketing permit can be granted.
• Sampling must be taken in each agricultural season (an agricultural season is three to four months).
• Sampling examination costs and duration:

1. Microbiological material testing: These tests represent 80% of the total exanimation being conducted. The cost is NIS 95.and results are expected within 48 hours.
2. Pesticide testing: These tests represent about 20% of the exanimation being conducted. The cost is NIS 210 and results are expected within a week.

• Enclosed permits are sent to the relevant crossing.

• Work is completed in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture and the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as by direct communication with traders and farmers.

Exporting agricultural products via land crossings

• Arrival at one of the commercial internal crossings: Ephraim Gate (Nablus), Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Gilboa (Al-Jalamah), Petunia (Ramallah) (currently, agricultural products rarely arrive at these crossings) Tarqumiyah (Hebron) and the Jordan River – this crossing is seasonal, serving the Jordan valley residents only.

• At each crossing, there are representatives from the Animal and Plant Inspection and Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture who work at all times.
• Corps are transferred at the crossing from a Palestinian truck to an Israeli truck, and the latter is received by the Animal and Plant Inspection and Enforcement Unit.
• Truck drivers must be provided with the following required documents:

1. Palestinian drivers must show a Palestinian transport card issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture and which is provided by the trader or farmer.
2. The Israeli driver must obtain a permit from the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

When the Animal and Plant Inspection and Enforcement Unit obtains these documents, it issues a transfer permit.

• Workers do their best to speed up the entry of agricultural products in order to prevent damage.
• After that, workers at crossings take random samples to be checked. The goods cannot be released until the examination is carried out, which can take three to four days. If the examination reveals irregularities (and the goods are in the markets), the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development records the irregularities and their nature and informs the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, accordingly.