FWS reduces minimum age requirement for ginseng export
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has restored the five-year age requirement for exported American ginseng, reversing its decision of a year ago to up the requirement to 10 years 1("The Tan Sheet," August 15, 2005, p. 12) The agency says that allowing the plant to be cut at five years "will not be detrimental to the survival of the species." The change comes as a relief to ginseng growers, who last year were disconcerted by the 10-year ruling and complained to the agency. FWA held four public meetings to get feedback from the industry in anticipation of the issuance of FWS 2006 wild American ginseng findings. Meanwhile, FWA is putting together a new outreach tool for ginseng growers and cultivators of medicinal herbs - a web page that will include information about international trade in CITES-listed medicinal plant species...