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New rules that would have hampered the sale of ginseng in WV have been reversed, mostly with the support of Congressman Nick Joe Rahall.
Those rules would have curtailed much of the exporting of native grown American ginseng, with many growers claiming the move was in support of corporate growing of the plant.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will permit exports of wild and
wild-simulated American ginseng that is at least 5 years old, the agency announced
this week.
Agency representatives said the decision was reached after consideration of
recent research findings as well as feedback received from dozens of growers,
harvesters, and other industry representatives during public meetings held
earlier this year.
After considering the new information, the agency has
determined that lowering the age would not adversely affect the conservation and
long-term survival of the plant.
This change in export requirements for wild and wild-simulated ginseng will
not affect half a million pounds of cultivated ginseng root that is exported
each year, primarily to Asia.
Cultivated roots are not subject to the age
restriction. However, all exports, including cultivated roots, must be
accompanied by a permit issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Ginseng is an herbaceous perennial found in the understory of mixed hardwood
forests of the northeastern, midwestern and southeastern United States and
in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
It has a life expectancy of
at least 60 years, and proponents believe the plant enhances physical and
mental activity, increases stamina and vitality, builds resistance to stress
and promotes a healthy libido.
Wild and wild-simulated ginseng is exported from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York,
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West
Virginia and Wisconsin.
In 1975, because of the high demand for wild ginseng root, American ginseng
was listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a treaty to which the United
States and 168 other countries are signatories.
An Appendix-II listing means
that export permits must be issued by the country of origin stating that a
particular shipment for export was legally collected and that the export is not
harmful to the survival of that species in the wild. The Service began
approving export of ginseng on a state-by-state basis in 1978.
Agency representatives said the Service will continue to work closely with
growers, the States and with ginseng industry representatives to encourage
continued monitoring of ginseng in the wild as well as assessments of the plant'
s populations.
The export requirements announced this week will be effective for the harvest
seasons of 2006 through 2008, although the finding could be modified in future
years if new information is forthcoming.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
visit their home page at http://www.fws.gov
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