Rejections of Decayed Pears in Israel September 20, 2006 BACKGROUND:   In recent years the Israeli plant quarantine agency has rejected a number of pear shipments to that country from the U.S. due to the presence of a fungal disease, Phacidiopycnis piri.  Disease expression upon arrival in Israel appears to be related to shipments sent in the late winter/early spring and the long transit times to that country.  Once rejected by authorities, finding alternative commercial markets has been difficult. SITUATION:  For the 2006 crop, pear shippers should be aware that it will continue to be Israel's strict policy to reject loads that are infected with Phacidiopycnis and require containers to be re-exported.  At time of export inspection, symptoms of this disease are very similar to the common pear decay fungus, gray mold.  It is only later, after significant disease progression, that clear differences between Phacidiopycnis and gray mold are recognizable to the untrained eye. The NHC is working with USDA/APHIS to develop additional inspection guidelines that we hope will help prevent Phacidiopycnis detections in the future.  For more information regarding the disease caused by this fungus, go to Washington Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center website. CONTACT:  If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Mike Willett or Mark Powers at 509/453-3193.  Northwest Horticultural Council 105 South 18th Street, Suite 105 Yakima, Washington 98901, USA Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615 E-mail general@nwhort.org