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...a tardy comment:<br>
<br>
The message below states, "Because 2% glyphosate is biodegradable, with
a half-life of 25 days, <b>it has been used by organic farmers</b>."<br>
<br>
The problem with this is that the use of glyphosate is not allowed on a
farm that wishes to maintain status as an organic farm nor do
agricultural products produced on such a farm meet the definition of an
organic product. USDA has commented on the relevance of the organic
regulations to marketing wild harvested ingredients as organic, for
example:<br>
<blockquote>A wild crop that is to be sold, labeled, or represented as
"100
percent organic," "organic," or "made with organic (specified
ingredients
or food group(s))" must be harvested from a designated area that has
had no
prohibited substances applied to it for a period of 3 years immediately
preceding the harvest of the wild crop. The wild crop must also be
harvested in
a manner that ensures such harvesting or gathering will not be
destructive to
the environment and will sustain the growth and production of the wild
crop.<o:p></o:p>
(Federal Register, Dec, 21, 2000, page 80560).<br>
</blockquote>
The regulations also state that, in order for a product to be sold as
organic it must be produced and handled without the use of any
synthetic substance (which would include glyphosate) unless it has been
specifically listed in the regulations as allowed for use in organic
crop production (which glyphosate is not). The only herbicides that are
allowed are are "soap-based herbicides," and there use is limited to
"use in farmstead maintenance
(roadways, ditches, right of ways, building perimeters) and ornamental
crops.<o:p></o:p>"<br>
<br>
Michael McGuffin<br>
<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov">Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov</a> wrote:<br>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="midOFED0436E4.FDC43B96-ON85256EC2.003FEA16-85256EC4.00692345@irm.r9.fws.gov">
<pre wrap="">Here's the first installment of what I hope will be a regular monthly
affair - The Question of the Month. This month's question came about as a
result of questions from you - the MPWG listserve!
The Question:
When plant invasions are beyond mechanical means of control (i.e. hand
pulling), are there any chemical methods of control that can be used and
still allow one to continue to harvest medicinals (or other plants for
human consumption) or, better yet, to retain "organic" status?
An Answer:
You may recall recent e-mails over the MPWG listserve regarding Japanese
Stilt Grass (JSG). Here is a summary of the information that was provided
in that discussion.
According to Marc Imlay (the Vice-President of the Maryland Native Plant
Society and member of our sister working group the Alien Plant Working
Group, with extensive experience in integrated pest management (IPM)),
once an invasion is beyond control by mechanical means, 2% glyphosate
(a.k.a is Roundup) is an alternative. Because 2% glyphosate is
biodegradable, with a half-life of 25 days, it has been used by organic
farmers. Following, is a brief discussion of Marc's observations and
strategies in invasives removal using 2% gylphosate.
Case Study: Japanese Stilt Grass
Once mechanical means have been exhusted, "JSG is relatively easy to
control. It is extremely sensitive to glyphosate, for example. We
apply 2% glyphosate with virtually no impact on native plants because we
use our solo 3 gallon backpack sprayer very slowly. We do not linger on
each plant but we go very slowly and avoid the natives very easily
(spray-to-glisten). Used this way, the chiemical does not migrate, and
it biodegrades quickly. Most of the seed bank is gone by the third year
and hand pulling becomes appropriate."
Eradication in action?
This excerpt is from actual field notes taken at an invasive eradication
site.
Japanese stilt grass - Microstegium vimineum
Method. In areas where the stiltgrass had formed a monoculture, we
used a 2% solution of RoundUp applied with a back pack sprayer, Used
this way, RoundUp does not migrate, and it biodegrades quickly. Where
the stiltgrass plants were mixed with native plants or adjacent to
wetlands (about 5% of the population), volunteers hand-pulled the
stiltgrass. We apply 2 % glyphosate with virtually no impact on
native plants because we use our solo 3 gallon backpack sprayer very
slowly. We do not linger on each plant but we go very slowly and
avoid the natives very easily (spray-to-glisten). Sprayers are
taught to recognize native plants first. We control stiltgrass before
seed is produced and check the following year for results in May or
June, as opposed to August or September, because individual stems
will grow to expand into the available space and Japanese stilt grass
reqrowth from the seed bank will appear to be more extensive than is
actually the case.
Summary:
This is not intended to be THE solution - it is an approach to the problem.
Before beginning any eradication program, please educate yourself about the
"problem" and the options. Learn about the invasive species in question.
Connect with local expertise. Understand the ecosystem in which you are
working. Get information on the variety of control mechanisms that are at
your disposal and the effect that they have on the ecosystem. Here are
some links to get you started...
Alien Plant Working Group (APWG) Website at: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien">www.nps.gov/plants/alien</a>
Part of the Plant Conservation Alliance, APWG's site provides
information for the general public, land managers, researchers, and
others on the serious threat and impacts of invasive alien (exotic,
non-native) plants to the native flora, fauna, and natural
ecosystems of the United States. Their "Weeds Gone Wild: Alien
Plant Invaders of Natural Areas" provides a compiled national list
of invasive plants infesting natural areas throughout the U.S.,
background information on the problem of invasive species,
illustrated fact sheets that include plant descriptions, native
range, distribution and habitat in the U.S., management options,
suggested alternative native plants, and other information, and
selected links to relevant people and organizations. Check out the
Fact Sheet on Japanese Stilt Grass at:
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/mivi1.htm">http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/mivi1.htm</a>
Ways to get involved in APWG!
write an invasives fact sheet (
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/list/authorinfo.htm">http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/list/authorinfo.htm</a>), or
join their listserve (
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/maillist.htm">http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/maillist.htm</a>)
The IUCN-Invasive Species Specialist Group at: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.invasives.org">www.invasives.org</a>
The Invasive Species Specialist
Group (ISSG) is part of the
Species Survival Commission (SSC)
of The World Conservation Union
(IUCN). The ISSG is a global
group of 146 scientific and
policy experts on invasive
species from 41 countries.
Membership is by invitation from
the group chair, but everyone's
participation in the discussion
on invasives is encouraged. In
addition, to its headquarters in
Auckland, New Zealand, ISSG has
three regional sections in North
America, Europe, and South Asia.
Restoration Working Group (RWG) Website at: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/restore">www.nps.gov/plants/restore</a>
The mission of the Plant Conservation Alliance's Restoration Working
Group (RWG) is to facilitate the implementation of numerous successful
restoration projects throughout the country. RWG has developed action
items in the areas of Federal Policies and Guidelines, Funding,
Research, Resources, Prevention, and Public Outreach.
National Park Service Exotic Plant Management
Teams at: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/invasive">www.nature.nps.gov/biology/invasive</a>
species/
Exotic plants infest approximately 2.6
million acres in the national parks.
Invasive animals are affecting 234 parks.
"Control of exotic species is one of the
most significant land management issues
facing national parks." Seventeen Exotic
Plant Mangement Teams have been deployed
throughout the U.S. to combat exotic plant
invasions in the national park system.
Native Plant Societies at:
michbotclub.org/links/native_plant_society.htm
Native plant societies are a great source of information and volunteers
(for pulls). This link provides a pretty comprehensive list of Native
Plant Societies in the U.S. and Canada. Join one near you!
Glyphosate Fact Sheets:
Environmental Protection Agency Consumer Factsheet on GLYPHOSATE
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/glyphosa.html">www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/glyphosa.html</a>
Glyphosate Pesticide Fact Sheet Prepared for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service by Information Ventures, Inc.
infoventures.com/e-hlth/pestcide/glyphos.html
Send me your ideas!
Please send me any suggestions for future topics - be sure to indicate
whether you can actually assist in "investigating" the topic. Topics
should relate to native medicinals (with some leeway) and should be
thought-provoking and, at the very least, informative! We have an idea in
mind for August - otherwise, the calendar is wide open. Send ideas to
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov"><Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov></a>.
- - - - -
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 750
Arlington, VA 22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural
resources.
<<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal">www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal</a>>
_______________________________________________
MPWG mailing list
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org">MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org">http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org</a>
To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:MPWG-request@lists.plantconservation.org">MPWG-request@lists.plantconservation.org</a> with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
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.
</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Michael McGuffin, President
American Herbal Products Association
8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 370
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Telephone 301-588-1171 x 201
Fax 301-588-1174
</pre>
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