> Hi all,
> I am not actually interested in CITES bashing, and I know the best
> efforts of conservation are to keep adult wild populations of plants alive and
> happy, but still if there are hundreds of thousands of Triphyophyllum peltatum
> alive all over the world, it isn't exactly likely that the species will ever
> become extinct. Equally, the VFT will never become extinct in the real sense of
> the word while all of us are growing at least on specimen. I know that some
> species of Paphiopedilum orchid are nearly extinct in the wild due to
> overcollection but this is mostly due to the fact that they have never really
> recovered from the vast collecting that went on in the 19th and very early 20th
> century, when fine specimens of Paph were prized at 1000 guineas a peice!
I think we're all missing the point about CITES. Yes, there may
be hundreds of thousands of VFT's or most other CP's in cultivation.
However, these are not wild grown plants. CITES protects those species
which are endangered or may possibly become endangered in the wild. If
you look at the VFT, note how the range has decreased significantly.
Also, remember the recent posting on the poacher who was charged with
illegally exporting VFT's. If there was no regulation, the plants would
have been taken out of the country and the VFT population would have
dwindled. I personally feel that without CITES, many of our favourite
plants would no longer exist in wild populations. CITES is aimed towards
preventing the vast collecting as mentioned above.
> All I know is that CITES is a pain in the neck as far as exchanging
> plants goes. At 20 quid a permit the CITES people cannot expect
> enthusiasts to actually want to exchange plants and help the
> cultivated distribution of the species. And here in the UK at least,
> you have to go before a CITES comittee to find out whether the CITES
> people think you really need a permit. Needless to say, many people
> are turned down.
Yes, I have to agree. Trying to find out who to apply to and
what permits are needed, as well as different regulations in different
countries can really test your patience. Do you have to go before the
CITES committee for all CITES listed CP's? (ie both App I and II). I
know in Canada you are very restricted when it comes to App I species.
You may only import them if it is part of a scientific study or if you
are part of some conservation group. Anyways, saying that you want to
grow them in your greenhouse for your own pleasure will end up in you
being rejected for the permit.
>
> Toby
>
>
Chris Teichreb