Re: This CITES Stuff
Chris Teichreb (teichrch@Meena.CC.URegina.CA)
Sun, 07 Apr 1996 09:39:01 -0600 (CST)
>
>
> First let me say that I think some sort of CITES is necessary
> otherwise such plants as N. rajah, and S. oreophila would no longer be
> among us due to ruthless collecting. But on the other hand, at least
> here in the US the problem is lack of education of people who work in
> these agencies that handle permits. A friend tried to get simple
> import permits (not even CITES related) for Heliamphora. He got a
> note back stating that they need the scientific names of the plants
> that he wants to import. Someone missed the point somewhere....I also
> think that some people in Washington have never grown a plant in their
> life.
>
> Just my two c.
>
> Christoph
>
I agree completely. CITES is necessary, however, more agreeance
on what permits are needed, etc. is also needed. When I phoned and
inquired about obtaining a CITES permit, the response I got was "What?
There's plants on the CITES appendices?". I have received differing
opinions from government officials on what has to be done to
import/export CITES material. The best thing that I could recommend is
to flood them with information. Tell them the common name, scientific
name, your name, address, fax, e-mail, exactly where it's going to and
where it's coming from, when you plan on sending it, how it's being
sent, and a list of contact people that customs officials can phone to
inquire about the plants. I agree that some people in the government
have never grown a plant in their life, that's why we've got to treat
the import/export situation as if we were talking to two year olds,
simple and complete.
Chris Teichreb