[MPWG] new guidelines for certified organic wild crops
Penny's Pine Nuts
penny at pinenut.com
Tue May 10 10:39:07 CDT 2011
Marla,
The certification process that I find the most value in is USDA Organic. It has a subsection specific to wild harvesting and is the certification most consumers can identify.
The USDA - National Organic program accredits inspectors. The inspectors then perform the audits and issue the certifications. Many state department of agriculture have accreditation to certify and can certify wild crop organics.
One huge problem has been that the inspectors are not familiar with wild crop harvests and have few tools to audit.
We have been certified by Oregon Tilth and several other agencies in past years.
Penny
----- Original Message -----
From: Marla Emery
To: Penny's Pine Nuts
Cc: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org ; mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org ; Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 1:58 PM
Subject: Re: [MPWG] new guidelines for certified organic wild crops
Who is doing the actual certifying these days?
Marla R. Emery, Ph.D.
Research Geographer
US Forest Service
Northern Research Station
705 Spear Street
So. Burlington, VT 05403-6102
(802)951-6771 ext. 1111
http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/people/memery
"Penny's Pine Nuts" <penny at pinenut.com>
Sent by: mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
05/09/2011 01:46 PM
To <mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org>, <Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov>
cc
Subject Re: [MPWG] new guidelines for certified organic wild crops
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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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.
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