[MPWG] History Channel's ‘Appalachian Outlaws’

[Robert Layton Beyfuss]

Just watched episode 2 of A.O. For a “reality” show, they are not even close when it comes to the prices they claim to pay diggers. $1,000 a pound green weight is ridiculous.

From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Ford, Patricia
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 3:57 PM
To: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: [MPWG] History Channel's ‘Appalachian Outlaws’

The History Channel (http://www.history.com/) aired a new program called ‘Appalachian Outlaws’ on January 9, 2014, with two more episodes scheduled for Jan. 16th and 22nd, about a group of American ginseng diggers and buyers.  Many members of the MPWG listserve have reported that the program glorifies illegal harvest of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) by showing diggers blatantly trespassing on public and private lands and harvesting under-age ginseng plants.  Additionally, the United Plant Savers and the American Herbal Products Association have publicly come out against the program.

State regulations for the harvest and buying of wild American ginseng are designed to ensure that ginseng roots are legally and sustainable harvested.  The harvest of ginseng plants that are too young (plants with fewer than 3 compound leaves/prongs and under 5 years of age), plants with green fruits, and harvesting too many plants, could wipe out wild American ginseng and lead to the collapse of this multi-million dollar industry.

Poaching ginseng from public and private property should not be encouraged and it is illegal punishable by State and Federal laws.  Protected lands where ginseng harvest is not permitted, such as State lands, National Parks and some U.S. Forest Service lands, provide necessary refugia which helps to safeguard the long-term survival of this species into the future.  The right to own land is one of the most valued rights of Americans, poaching ginseng from private property deprives the rightful landowner income from their lands.

Last week, when we learned of the program, we, the U.S., Fish and Wildlife Service, contacted the History Channel about the program and sent them relevant information about the State/Federal management of American ginseng, and our key messages were posted on the program’s website at: http://www.history.com/shows/appalachian-outlaws/articles/ginseng-facts.  We hope to expand our involvement with the History Channel to urge them to incorporate information about the importance of sustainable and legal harvest, and that there are responsible diggers that practice and encourage good stewardship harvest of wild American ginseng.

The parent company of the History Channel is AE Network.  Feedback on the program can be sent to aefeedback at aenetworks.com<mailto:aefeedback at aenetworks.com>.  Or to A&E Television Networks, 235 East 45th Street, New York, New York 10017; or phone or fax the network at: 212-210-1400 (phone) or 212-210-9016 (fax).

To learn more about the legal harvest and trade of American ginseng, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/international/plants/american-ginseng.html; http://www.ahpa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=154, and contact your State agency that manages ginseng.
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