Ginseng
2005 AMERICAN GINSENG (Panax quinquefolius) HARVEST
For the 2005 harvest season, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will issue export permits only for wild
ginseng roots that are at least 10 years old. The new provision does not
affect the half-million pounds of cultivated ginseng roots exported from the
Ginseng plants generally produce seed by 4-5
years of age, but actually become more productive with age. It is
critical that plants be harvested only once they have matured and have had an
opportunity to reproduce such that seed production and growth of new plants is
adequate to sustain the long-term survival of the species. Ginseng is
long lived, with a life expectancy of 30 or more years. Recent studies
have shown that ginseng is not being allowed to reach maturity in the wild,
that few older plants remain, and that overall population size is decreasing.
In 1975, because of the high demand for wild
roots, American ginseng was listed in Appendix II of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a treaty that regulates trade in animals and plants
to ensure the survival of wild populations. An Appendix-II listing means
that export permits must be issued by the country of origin, which must
determine that a particular shipment for export was legally acquired and that
the export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species in the wild.
The Service began approving export of ginseng on a State-by-State basis in
1978.
According to export data collected by the
Service, the
In addition to helping ensure that wild ginseng
plants have sufficient time to reproduce, the new export condition is aimed at
helping States within the species’ range to stem the poaching of wild roots by
providing consistent law enforcement throughout the country.
Nineteen states have been previously approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service
for the export of wild ginseng. They are
For more information about this ruling and the impact it has on you
as private landowner view a HurHerald Article or an AHPA Update on the ruling.
To
read the actual non-detriment finding made by the Service's Division of
Scientific Authority, go to:
http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/2005ginsengfinding.pdf
If you have any questions about the scientific finding, please contact the
Division of Scientific Authority, e-mail: scientificauthority@fws.gov.
For questions on permit procedures, please contact the Division of Management
Authority, e-mail: managementauthority@fws.gov.