[MPWG] Wild Life Sting.
Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov
Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov
Fri Jan 9 10:53:33 CST 2004
The situation in the Appalachians (and in the U.S., in general) is a lot
more complicated than simply encouraging cultivation. I'll keep it brief
by referring you to a website with more information on the Appalachian
issue:
http://www.srs4702.forprod.vt.edu/unit/biome_protection.htm
Feel free to contact me directly at <Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov> if you
would like to be put you in contact with people (ginseng growers,
researchers, law enforcement and industry members) who are directly
involved in and could add perspective to this issue.
Thanks,
Patricia
Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 750
Arlington, VA 22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Edward Fletcher
<Efletcher at skybest.com> To: PCA's Medicinal Plant Working Group List
Sent by: <MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org>
MPWG-bounces at lists.plantconse cc:
rvation.org Subject: RE: [MPWG] Wild Life Sting.
01/09/2004 09:02 AM
Please respond to PCA's
Medicinal Plant Working Group
List
It's always good to hear the extremist point of view and now I think we
have!
-----Original Message-----
From: PCA's Medicinal Plant Working Group List
Sent: 1/8/2004 11:57 PM
To: MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: [MPWG] Wild Life Sting.
I still dont believe the Conservation scam ....
the following is composed of two cut and paste, from the last two
issues of MPWG Digest,s.
"applied to a cute panda happily munching its way through bamboo
forests .... But applied to the world of herbs, the scientific
meaning is legislation, and restriction, for scientific and
pharmaceutical use only. With that also come the costly task of
enforcement, abuse of human rights and punitive penalties for the
peasants. Seen in that light, the peasants also pay for their own
striped suit, and ball and chain via taxation.
"Yesterday, officials with the National Park Service and the Virginia
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries announced the sting operation
based at the Elkton store. It was all part of a multiyear,
multi-state investigation into the illegal harvest or sale of
American ginseng and
black bear organs, much of it for exportation to Asia. More than 100
people from several states could face charges resulting from the
investigation, which tracked the illicit plants with a recently
developed arsenal of special dyes and silicon chips. More than 40
people have been charged in sealed indictments. Two were in custody."
The following is a cut and paste from Richters website ..
www.richters.com
"AMERICAN GINSENG [Order Related Book]
Panax quinquefolius
Perennial Uses: medicinal Sow No:S3
Native of cool hardwood forests throughout eastern and central North
America. It has become extinct in many areas and is now cultivated to
a large extent in British Columbia, Ontario and Wisconsin. Seeds are
planted in hardwood forests or in specially prepared beds anytime
from Sept. until the ground freezes. The following spring, the
seedlings appear, and in 3 to 6 years they mature. We offer high
quality stratified seeds. Detailed growing instructions included. "
Richters are now quoting US$240 per Kg for stratified seed. I am
sure that Richters would confirm that they have a world wide demand
for the quinquefolius seed.
The post by Wayne Owen illustrates the point I have been trying to
make .... that sting cost a lot of money to plan and carry out. In
fact when I read the post, my immediate thought was of the American
folk tale of Al Capone and Elliot Ness. First came the ban .... then
came the machine guns and mobsters ... then came the FBI .... and
then the ban was lifted.
So as usual ... we have punitive measures from the top down. People
have lost their rights ... cui bono ?
The millions of dollars spent on the sting .... and the ongoing and
never ending enforcement cost. These wild life organisations are
assured of funding for many years to come .... or for as long as they
can keep the game going for their own benefit.
Personally I think the money would be better spent on financing the
growing of the Ginseng by the dispossessed peasants in the affected
US States .... but this simple answer is not going to happen ... is
it ? And we all know why .... dont we ?
Ivor Hughes
www.herbdatanz.com
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