[MPWG] new guidelines for certified organic wild crops

[Penny's Pine Nuts]

Patricia,
These were our comments: 
http://pinenut.com/blog/blog1.php?title=wild-crop-harvesting-comments-guidelines-for-wild-crops-harvestingnop-5021-ams-nop-10-0048&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

IFCAE also submitted comments that helped shaped the USDA's understanding of wild crops. I think AHPA submitted, great comments, too.

I was very pleased with the "no clear cutting" and that harvesters must interviewed by the certifier. We thought that was huge!   The USDA made it very clear that the natural habitat must be improved or at least not damaged by wild harvesting. I think the USDA stepped up to the plate on certified organic wild crops albeit, we did ask for restoration with eco-type seeds or cuttings and were turned down on that.

Penny
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov 
  To: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org 
  Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 11:14 AM
  Subject: Re: [MPWG] new guidelines for certified organic wild crops



  Wow. These two excerpts are of particular interest... 

  "Minimal agricultural practices, such as re-seeding from and pruning of existing plants or the removal of non-native species, along with the sustainable harving of the wild crops may be employed and, in some cases, even required by other jurisdictions to support the long-term cviability of the habitat."   

  "Section 205.200 states that production practices must maintain or improve the natural resources of an operation under organic certification...[which also applies to wild-certifed crops].  Unmanaged, untrained and uninformed harvesting of wild products from a wild habitat without maintaining or improving the natural resouces can disqualify the wild products from organic certification." 

  This seems to be a more pragmatic approach that address two important concerns about ecologically-appropriate activities: It recognizes that good stewardship practices don't relegate an otherwise wild resource to being a "crop."  It also "allows" the harvester to preserve and promote conservation of local germplasm.   

  Penny, I suspect you submitted comments! 
  -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 110
  Arlington, VA  22203
  703-358-1708 x1753
  FAX: 703-358-2276

  Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.
  <www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>



        "Penny's Pine Nuts" <penny at pinenut.com> 
        Sent by: mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org 
        05/06/2011 01:52 PM 
       To <mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org>  
              cc  
              Subject [MPWG] new guidelines for certified organic wild crops 

              

       



  http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5090757 
    
  Some very progressive changes to the national organic program wild crops certification. 
    
    
    
   
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