[MPWG] ginseng poaching program

Sun Jan 12 20:36:29 CST 2014

Hi All,

Just thought I would add a few thoughts. As a number of folks have  
said, this film captures only a part of the wildcrafting story.  
Unfortunately,I do think it reflects a real part of the wildcrafting  
community, albeit not the whole wildcrafting community. The fact that  
the few gents shown represent a big part of the total tonnage of Amer  
ginseng that is collected is something worthy of acknowledging. That  
individual wildcrafters, such as the gent poaching on federal lands  
and the others on private property are trying to put food on their  
table and simply not caring about the environment or propriety of  
doing it in a sustainable way. The brokers and dealers also reflect a  
desire to "get every bit of it that is out there", put competitors out  
of business, and simply get their piece of the pie with no  
consciousness or caring. Cape cod fishermen are the same; they  
basically say they want to get what they can while they can and that  
is about it. This puts those wanting to do it the right way at a  
disadvantage, artificially drives costs up or down, and undermines  
efforts to promote a consciousness of sustainability. To me, for  
threatened species there should be a paper trail required for all  
those brokers, how much they got from who,e and document that all  
material harvested was done legally. The "disabled" guy clearly should  
be penalized just with the evidence this documentary provides; that he  
is probably collecting some type of disability while he has the  
ability to trek all over the Appalacians and his clear knowledge that  
he is doing it illegally. Unfortunately, all the education in the  
world will not stop folks like him from getting what they can, when  
they can, and however they can and threaten the entire tradition of  
wildcrafting. The only solution is to go after those types with  
penalties and also focus on the brokers of illegally obtained  
material. I expect documenting sources either is not part of the  
ginseng requirements for brokers or it is simply not enforced.

I am looking forward to the second segment, more hoping that the gent  
will be caught (never thought I would say something like that about a  
wildcrafter) and that there would be something good would come by  
deterring inappropriate non-sustainable practices.

Roy

On Sun Jan 12 18:12:13 2014, Edward Fletcher  
<efletcher at StrategicSourcingInc.net> wrote:

> This show sensationalizes the fringe element of the ginseng industry, NOT
> the true 'wild crafters' and long heritage of one of our American botanical
> treasures. But then why would 'they' want to make a show that depicts lawful
> and ethical people who are just trying to put shoes on their children's feet
> and food on the table....
>
> Just as Russ, I was shocked that they showed Actaea pachypoda and called it
> 'black cohosh'. This shows just how deep and thorough they researched their
> subject matter before filming! How can we make them retract and/or correct
> this possibly dangerous flagrant inaccuracy.
>
> Genuinely,
> Edward J. Fletcher
> Strategic Sourcing, Inc.
> Botanical Division, C.O.O.
> 828.898.7642
> Fax.898.7647
> Efletcher at StrategicSourcingInc.net
> www.StrategicSourcingInc.net
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "MPWG" <mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org>
> Sent: 1/10/2014 4:47 PM
> To: "Jeanine Davis" <Jeanine_Davis at ncsu.edu>
> Cc: "Ikhlas Khan" <ikhan at olemiss.edu>; "Mark Blumenthal"
> <Mark at herbalgram.org>; "Stefan Gafner" <stefan at herbalgram.org>;
> "MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org" <MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org>
> Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng poaching program
>
>
>
> Very sobering. Like the fishermen in Cape Cod. No regard for the future, for
> the land, or for anything other than an instant buck. Very sad.--Roy
>
>
> On Jan 10, 2014, at 7:59 AM, Jeanine Davis wrote:
>
>
>
> This is all so frustrating. And it is discouraging forest landowners from
> planting wild-simulated ginseng because they are afraid with all this
> publicity it is in even greater danger of being poached. Jeanine
>
> Jeanine M. Davis, Ph.D.
> Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
> Dept. of Horticultural Science, NC State University
> Email: Jeanine_Davis at ncsu.edu <x-msg://157/Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu%20>
> Websites:  http://ncherb.org <http://ncherb.org/>
> http://ncspecialtycrops.org <http://ncspecialtycrops.org/>
> http://ncorganic.org <http://ncorganic.org/>
> Blog:  http://ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com
> <http://ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com/>
> Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeanineNCSU
> Facebook: <http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanine-Davis/1442912228>
> http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanine-Davis/1442912228
> Address: Mtn. Hort. Crops Research & Extension Center
> 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759
> Phone:  828-684-3562   FAX:  828-684-8715
>
> From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of
> Susan Leopold
> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2014 10:47 AM
> To: ForestRuss at aol.com
> Cc: MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
> Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng poaching program
>
> Thank you Russ for pointing out the information of wrong identification,
> which sets the stage for the show and possibly more of its kind in the
> works. I personally think it is horrific to have a ginseng show that
> glorifies poaching and all the illegal activity that took place in this show
> to continue with no consequences.  If is was a show about poaching a
> protected animal I wonder how the public would react?
>
> I think this quote from the main ginseng dealers sums up how plants are
> perceived.. see quote and link below.
>
> UpS has released a formal press release warning the History Channel about
> the dangers of promoting poaching of a threatened species...
>
>  "its a protected species, but I don't know why. Its a plant'
> http://www.register-herald.com/local/x1956140531/New-reality-show-focuses-on
> -state-ginseng-business
> http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/12/25/new-reality-show-focuses-on-west-v
> irginia-ginseng-business/
>
> On Jan 10, 2014, at 10:19 AM, ForestRuss at aol.com wrote:
>
>
> MPWG:
>
> A new program had its debut on History Channel  yesterday 01/09/14 called
> "Appalachian Outlaws.
>
> The program appears to be more about the being a ginseng poacher than almost
> anything else and I am uncertain how it could impact ginseng
> growers...beyond making theft a thrill game.
>
> One concern I have as a long time grower of black Cohosh in a forest setting
> is that one of the poachers already has identified "dolls eye",  Actaea
> pachypoda, as black Cohosh, a very incorrect ID.  They made a point of
> showing the fruit and the foliage.
>
> As a grower of the medicinal black Cohosh plant I think that in 2014 black
> Cohosh root buyers might have to be more vigilant in vetting their purchases
> to make sure they aren't getting poison.
>
> I would appreciate other peoples' thoughts or comments on the program
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Russ Richardson, Certified Forester
>
>
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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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