[MPWG] White list & invasive plants issues...

Mon Oct 25 14:09:22 CDT 2010

I agree with native since when being a good question.  Each state has a list
of exotic sp. versus native sp.  In NYC we had a list of natives and exotics
for the region.  Invasive introductions have caused devastation to
ecosystems and brought some species to near extinction. The chestnut blight
was brought here through exotic lumber or exotic chestnut trees.  This
fungus has virtually wiped out the native chestnut.  1000's of trees have
had to be cut down because of the Asian Longhorn Beetle.  Invasive sp.
decrease biodiversity.  Not all exotics are invasive but all invasives are
exotic.  Until we have an understanding as to how a species will affect a
given ecosystem we should not introduce it.  Native plants promote native
fauna, biodiversity, and a healthy ecosystem.

I don't think anyone should be forced to buy native plants. I do think
people should make educated decisions. After carefully reading and weighing
the evidence I think the educated decision will become clear.  It is true
that not everyone can afford higher priced goods. But if you look at the
longterm effect of our buying decisions you may find that that more
expensive item is going to last you longer or perform better and therefore
save you money in the long run.  If you look beyond that and query into how
that inexpensive item is made, what environmental regulations are being
avoided, and what labor is being exploited, you have to ask yourself if that
cheaper item doesn't come with other costs that you are not willing to pay.

Also, sometimes farmers markets are cheaper than the grocery store.

On Mon, Oct 25, 2010 at 2:10 PM, Edward Fletcher <efletcher at skybest.com>wrote:

>  *Hello Bob,*
> **
> *Point(s) well stated and taken.   "Native since when?" asks the most
> logical question to me. Even the 'books' list 'aleins' but different
> references to how they were determined to be aliens! *
> *Per the purchasing power of the public. Overall we are becoming to much
> of a "Wal-Mart Society" meaning always looking for cheaper with quality
> taking more and more of a back seat. This does push us to wards 'Made in
> China' products, sending them more of out money that they can lend back to
> us and put us further in debt to them!!!  *
> *If more people would buy based on quality, if affordable, each link in
> the supply chain is duly rewarded and this would support a healthier
> economy. *
> *Back to point... invasives are a big problem... but like drugs, the
> demand has been created and we are feeding it by what we buy!*
> *Always good to debate such issues...see other viewpoints...if nothing
> else but for increased enlightenment! *
> *
>
> Genuinely,
> Edward J. Fletcher
> *
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* "Robert Layton Beyfuss" <rlb14 at cornell.edu>
> *Sent:* 10/25/2010 1:50 PM
> *To:* "Edward Fletcher" <efletcher at skybest.com>
> *Cc:* "mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org" <mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org>
>
> *Subject:* RE: [MPWG] White list & invasive plants issues...
>
>
>  Hi Ed
> There is really no good defintion of what a "native" plant is. Native to
> where? Mexico or Texas?
> Minnesota or Canada? Northern PA or southern PA? CA or NY? The mountains of
> NC or the outer banks? This is a big country with lots of different
> ecosystems that differ as radically from each other as Asian ecosystems do
> from ours. Native since when? since the glaciers moved stuff around? Since
> Native Americans moved plants around? since Europeans brought plants with
> them here in the 1600's? Since temperatures warmed up a couple of degres?
> should we be prohibited from growing exotic medicinal plants?   The whole
> native versus exotic argument is xenophobic BS. There are plenty of exotic
> plants that don't need extra inputs to grow here just fine.
> Requiring people to purchase only native plants is like requiring us to buy
> only American made goods? Most of our foods are exotic. Should we only eat
> local "native" food?  The average working class American cannot afford to
> shop at the local farmers market. They have to shop at Wallmart with 85%
> Chinese made goods.  Makes no sense at all. Americans used to have freedom
> to choose what they wanted, now Big Brother chooses for all of us.
> Bob
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org [
> mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Edward Fletcher [
> efletcher at skybest.com]
> *Sent:* Monday, October 25, 2010 12:01 PM
> *To:* mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org; michael.d.ward at aphis.usda.gov
> *Subject:* [MPWG] White list & invasive plants issues...
>
>  *While I do understand the 'invasive plants' concern, reiterated when I
> drive through the South and see kudzu climbing over 100' pine trees and
> choking out acres of plants, I know the horticultural/ornamental market is
> driving this demand. It has always been the desire to have plants from
> 'exotic' places rather than 'native' plants in one's landscape. Then even if
> not invasive, there are inherent problems that come along with this,
> i.e., extra water in dryer climates, pest issues, diseases, etc. *
> **
> *So it seems to me a companion list to this 'white list' is a 'native
> plant list' that is allowed. Many counties and some states only allow or
> require indigenous plant species to be planted. Bravo, Bravo!!! This makes
> the most sense to me, then we can still go to the botanical gardens to see
> exotic plants perhaps. *
> **
> *Notes to remember: We have invasives that are native also. Many hybrids
> of native species are available for diversity in the landscape. *
> *
>
> Genuinely,
> Edward J. Fletcher
> *
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* "mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org" <
> mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org>
> *Sent:* 10/24/2010 3:53 AM
> *To:* "mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org" <mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org>
>
> *Subject:* [MPWG] Fwd:
>
>
>
> *"WHITE LIST" OF AUTHORIZED PLANTS (Canada and U.S.)*
>
> The U.S. and Canadian governments are planning to introduce a "white list"
> of plants that are allowed entry into each country under a joint Canada-USA
> greenhouse certification program. The United States Department of
> Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are
> requesting comments from stakeholders on a proposal to replace the current
> list of prohibited plants with this new list of allowed plants. What this
> means is that if a plant is not on the allowed list it cannot enter the U.S.
> from Canada or vice versa. Many thousands of plants including many herbs
> will be barred entry under the proposal.
>
> This change is highly significant for both countries because it appears to
> be a first attempt to implement a controversal "white list" approach to the
> control of cross-border plant movement. The proposed "white list" is far
> more restrictive than the current "black list" of prohibited plants that has
> been in place since the inception of the binational Greenhouse Certification
> Program in 1996. The proposed "white list" of allowed plants includes less
> than 1000 plant genera, out of over 12,600 genera of flowering plants known
> to man. The current "black list" of prohibited plants has fewer than 100
> genera.
>
> Some suggest that the powerful anti-invasives movement in the U.S. is
> behind the push to introduce "white lists" of plants that are allowed into
> the country. While invasives are a problem for both countries, the new list
> will affect thousands of plants already in the horticultural trade, and will
> limit the introduction of new plants to gardeners.
>
> For gardeners, it is worth reflecting a moment on how many new plants that
> you have enjoyed growing over the past 10-20 years, and how many of them
> might not have been available to you had this "white list" been in place.
>
> Gardeners, herbalists, commercial growers, and the gardening and herbal
> media are encouraged to submit comments.
>
> *The deadline for comments is October 31, 2010.*
>
> *United States*: Email your comments to Michael D. Ward, Senior
> Accreditation Projects Manager, USDA-APHIS-PPQ (
> michael.d.ward at aphis.usda.gov)<michael.d.ward at aphis.usda.gov?Subject=GCP%20Comments>
>
> *Canada*: Email your comments to the CFIA (horticulture at inspection.gc.ca<horticulture at inspection.gc.ca?Subject=comments>
> )
>
> The relevant documents, including the proposed lists of authorized genera
> and families, are available here<http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=Issues/documents.html>
> .
>
> --
> \_\  RICHTERS HERBS
> / /  Goodwood, ON, L0C 1A0, Canada
> \_\  Tel +1.905.640.6677  Fax +1.905.640.6641
> /_/  http://www.richters.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PCA's Medicinal Plant Working Group mailing list
> MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
>
> http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org
>
> To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to MPWG-request at lists.plantconservation.orgwith the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
>
> Disclaimer
> Any advice given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc.
> reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The
> information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a
> substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical
> condition or question. All medical and other healthcare information that is
> discussed on this list should be carefully reviewed by the individual reader
> and their qualified healthcare professional. Posts do not reflect any
> official opinions or positions of the Plant Conservation Alliance.
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.plantconservation.org/pipermail/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org/attachments/20101025/93d546c3/attachment.html>