[MPWG] ginseng poaching program

Tue Jan 14 17:54:33 CST 2014

Then it sounds relatively easy to enforce. Fine for all illegally sourced root and that will discourage the practice. Unfortunately, it would likely require whistle blowing to the county or state. I would not want to do it; the consequences for individuals and families is pretty big; so not sure how one goes about addressing such things without third-party enforcement for the State itself.

Roy

On Jan 14, 2014, at 3:47 PM, Edward Fletcher wrote:

> Hello Roy,
>  
> Documenting by the dealers is a little different in each state, but at the least the dealer has to document from whom they buy the ginseng from, the date of purchase, the condition dry or fresh, the weight, the state and county where it was harvested. In North Carolina we have to also see their Drivers License and write their number down along with their address and ask for a phone number. So there is a very well documented paper trail for all purchases.
>  
> I agree there are rules in place and these need to be enforced & punished on the law breakers so those who harvest legally are not unduly punished. 
> 
> 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: "herbal at got.net" <herbal at got.net> 
> Sent: 1/12/2014 9:36 PM 
> To: "Edward Fletcher" <efletcher at StrategicSourcingInc.net> 
> Cc: "Jeanine Davis" <jeanine_davis at ncsu.edu>; "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 
> 
> 
> 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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> > 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
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