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<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000>On the point of the Certificate of
Origin, CofO.</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000>As a raw material supplier, we develop a
CofO for the raw material </FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000>as soon as it is harvested, dried (or not
if sold fresh), and packaged</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000>for resale. All of our material is sold for
further processing down the line</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000>but the C of O transfers with each sale and
should be connected to </FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000>the material all the way through to the
final processing and marketing.</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000>This complete chain of custody is the only
way to have true accountability</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000>and is "our"
responsibility.</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT color=#008000><BR>Genuinely,<BR>Edward J.
Fletcher<BR>Strategic Sourcing, Inc.<BR>Botanical Division, C.O.O.<BR>115 Snow
Ridge Rd.<BR>Banner Elk, N.C. 28604<BR>USA<BR>828.898.7642<BR>Fax.898.7647<BR><A
href="mailto:Efletcher@strategicsourcinginc.net">Efletcher@strategicsourcinginc.net</A><BR><A
href="http://www.strategicsourcinginc.net">www.strategicsourcinginc.net</A></FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:
</B>Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov<BR><B>Sent: </B>12/8/2004 10:14 AM<BR><B>To:
</B>mpwg@lists.plantconservation.org<BR><B>Subject: </B>Re: [MPWG] Transparency
clarifications<BR><BR><BR>Two things here -<BR><BR>1. I wonder if Mark
Blumenthal is nearby and might comment on the new<BR>labeling system that ABC
worked on - does this address the transparency<BR>issue, and if so,
how?<BR><BR>2. Also, isn't there a role for the Certificates of Analysis (COA)
in all<BR>of this?<BR><BR>A COA is generated (all the time?) at some point
between being dug out of<BR>the ground (or picked, cut, etc.) and reaching the
manufacturer. The<BR>information on these COAs already help to identify the
quality and source<BR>of the material. I understand that there is some
discussion as to when and<BR>who should be responsible for generating the COA.
Perhaps my industry<BR>colleagues will comment on this.<BR><BR>But, I'd also
like to hear from you with respect to a broader use for the<BR>COA - in
commerce, for instance. From a CITES perspective, a big<BR>difficulty comes in
trying to identify materials in trade. When a dry,<BR>brown powder comes to a
port/border, the COA could serve as the<BR>identification tool. I mean, the COA
is already being generated, couldn't<BR>it be tweaked a bit to fit this
need?<BR><BR>-Patricia<BR><BR>Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.<BR>Botanist -
Division of Scientific Authority<BR>Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance -
Medicinal Plant Working Group<BR>US Fish & Wildlife Service<BR>4401 N.
Fairfax Dr., Suite 750<BR>Arlington, VA 22203<BR>703-358-1708 x1753<BR>FAX:
703-358-2276<BR>Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green
natural<BR>resources.<BR><www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>DianeDonCarlos@aol.com
<BR>Sent by: To: mpwg@lists.plantconservation.org
<BR>MPWG-bounces@lists.plantconse cc: <BR>rvation.org Subject: [MPWG]
Transparency clarifications <BR><BR><BR>12/08/2004 08:43 AM
<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>clarifications-<BR>I was not suggesting the organic
certification process as the transparency<BR>solution for herbal products i.e.
all herbal product should be "organic".<BR>I was suggesting that organic
certification-the document, the process- be<BR>used as a model for developing an
herbal certification and/or the<BR>beginnings of full disclosure labeling of
herbal products.<BR><BR>Agreed that transparency isn't the only issue, but I
feel it is paramount.<BR>I believe in the power of the consumer. I believe in
the intellect and<BR>decision making if the consumer. If we have full disclosure
on the label<BR>for the contents of the product, then the consumer is faced with
a decision<BR>i.e. Certified Organic Ginseng vs. Wild Crafted Ginseng vs.
Standardized<BR>Ginseng---the consumer now has three choices and must become
educated in<BR>order to make the purchase. Somewhere in that process the
consumer might<BR>discover CITIES and a host of other information. Of course
there are those<BR>who simply make a purchase based upon price. But others, many
others, want<BR>to know the difference and will investigate. Education begins
with the<BR>label. Labels are on every bottle. The label is a powerful tool for
raising<BR>consciousness.<BR><BR><BR>Diane Don Carlos<BR>Herbalist, Organic
Inspector<BR>Sweet Farm<BR>33735 Beech Grove Road<BR>Rutland, OH
45775<BR>740-742-1714_______________________________________________<BR>MPWG
mailing
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the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.<BR><BR>Disclaimer<BR>Any advice
given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc.<BR>reflects ONLY the
opinion of the individual who posts the message. The<BR>information contained in
posts is not intended nor implied to be a<BR>substitute for professional medical
advice relative to your specific<BR>medical condition or question. All medical
and other healthcare information<BR>that is discussed on this list should be
carefully reviewed by the<BR>individual reader and their qualified healthcare
professional. Posts do not<BR>reflect any official opinions or positions of the
Plant
Conservation<BR>Alliance.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>MPWG
mailing
list<BR>MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org<BR>http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org<BR><BR>To
unsubscribe, send an e-mail to MPWG-request@lists.plantconservation.org with the
word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.<BR><BR>Disclaimer <BR>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.</DIV></BODY></HTML>