Again, the controversy arised from the fact that a name of a
'possible culprit' was publicized. No one said that he should not be
punished when he really did take those seedlings out of nature.
However, it must be acceptable in a democratic community to state
one's doubts about certain matters especially in view of a regulation
that is so controversal. And in view of that, it was most necessary
that some people pointed out the irregularities around CITES.
Furthermore, to blame hobbyist and their commercial suppliers for a
depletion of natural habitats is far fetched if not ridiculous.
Plants (and animals) are endangered. But they are endangered, mainly through
the (legal???) destruction of their habitats. If one studies the
market closely (and that is so for CP's as well as for orchids),
there just is no demand as high as to be able to endanger a
population, let alone the species.
Dr. Guido J. Braem