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Lankesteriana International Journal on Orchidology ISSN: 1409-3871 [email protected] Universidad de Costa Rica Costa Rica ZELENKO, HARRY NOT A SINGLE ORCHID... Lankesteriana International Journal on Orchidology, vol. 7, núm. 1-2, marzo, 2007, pp. 164-166 Universidad de Costa Rica Cartago, Costa Rica Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=44339813033 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative LANKESTERIANA 7(1-2): 164-166. 2007. NOT A SINGLE ORCHID... HARRY ZELENKO Asociación de Orquideología de Quito and Greater New York Orchid Society P.O. Box 17-22-20043 Cumbaya, Quito, Ecuador [email protected] We all know that the original intent of the to issue CITES certificates, or delaying them. Rather Convention on International Trade in Endangered than functioning as public servants, some of the Species was for the protection of animals. Adding administrators behave as martinets. They are hired flora was an afterthought that seemed like a good idea and paid by CITES in Switzerland and there’s no way at the time. But it has gotten out of hand, and CITES to change their status short of open revolt. Like regulation is now deeply entrenched worldwide caus- Supreme Court judges in the United States, they are ing unnecessary expense, heartache and aggravation, in for life. As we all know, Appendix I of CITES lists not to mention contributing to corruption, smuggling certain orchids that have been declared “endangered and who knows what else. But I sincerely believe that species” to prevent them from being transported CITES has not saved one plant from extinction since across international borders. Each party to the treaty its inception. sets up its own system of enforcement. In the United Every thinking person believes in the concept of States, the treaty is enforced by the U.S. Department saving endangered species. We amateur and profes- of the Interior/Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. sional growers, taxonomists and educators, importers Department of Agriculture. As far as I know, none of and exporters, individuals and organizations, all share the people in these organizations have bothered to a common goal, although the methods for achieving study the orchids in the field to determine if they are, conservation have taken us on radically divergent in fact, endangered. paths. It is my opinion that CITES regulations, in For instance, every Phragmipedium species is practice, have proved to be no less than counterpro- included in Appendix I. Most of those who made, and ductive to orchid conservation. Certainly, CITES is those who enforce, the treaty have yet to visit the not the answer. Preventing the trade in animal life is sites in situ. In Ecuador, one can see thousands of one thing, but CITES was misguided in extending Phragmipedium longifolium plants growing in a sin- their policy to orchids with Appendix II. Wouldn’t it gle population. At a streamside location, large stands be nice if the CITES authorities would seriously con- of many, many hundreds of plants of Phragmipedium sider the difficulties that the treaty has caused the piercii can be seen growing in clumps. Phragmipe- orchid world? I was once admonished by a famous dium besseae populations range from Ecuador into orchid person to swallow my irritation and testiness, Peru with plants numbering in the millions. Each of and softly approach the CITES situation with logic these orchid species grow at many locations. Most of and reason, hat in hand as the only way to induce the plants of Phragmipedium kovachii, labeled “the change. Really? I think the only way to get action is most important orchid find in the past 100 years” to raise holy hell over CITES injustice by confronting would still be in their natural habitat in Peru if plants them forcefully. Maybe sit-ins won’t work, but how had been exported legally to responsible growers for about filing an international law suit in the World propagation. We know that many mature plants have Court in The Hague? been distributed worldwide… illegally. Without A few years ago I began a petition that many peo- CITES. Legal seedlings from flasks will become ple agreed with but would not sign. Why? Because mature within a very short time. CITES has injected fear in the orchid world. Fear of reprisal by CITES officers. Feeling their power, these In Brazil, Laelia jongheana is also “protected” with officers in many instances behave badly by refusing Appendix I designation, yet they grow by the hun- ZELENKO - Not a single orchid... 165 dreds of thousands. The only instance I know of I was once told by a CITES inspector when carry- where CITES has reversed their regulations is the ing a few sterile flasks to New York that charcoal removal of Cattleya triane from Appendix I. Many should not be used in the gel medium because he forms of this species have always been common in could not see the roots. I could never understand why, Colombia. It was great that CITES finally figured out in heaven’s name, it was necessary for him to exam- it wasn’t endangered. ine seedling roots in a sealed bottle? Ridiculous! And hybrids and seed are also now part of the inspection Those familiar with the situation know that the process in many countries. international trade in orchids is a drop in the bucket compared to the loss of millions upon millions of Here’s an idea: Importations, whether by individu- orchids, along with their host trees and other plants, als or commercial growers, can meet practical guide- as the result of slash-and-burn agriculture. lines provided they pass sanitary inspection prior to Apparently, this does not concern to CITES. And lip shipping and an inspection at ports of entry. Yes, service does not save orchids that actually might be USDA inspectors should examine orchids and other endangered. Based on the fact that there are substan- plants for diseases, insects, and other pests. With such tial populations of all Phragmipedium species in a simplified system of inspection, the nations of the Central and South America including kovachii, I world can expect the cooperation of importers, believe that they should remove the species in this because no grower, private or commercial, wants to genus from Appendix I. Further, placement of all introduce possibly infected plants into their growing other orchids in Appendix II does not seem not realis- environment. Plant inspectors should be encouraged tic or constructive to me, and for those reasons and to work with responsible growers and scientists. How others, speaking for many people in the orchid world to change their attitude is a helpless cause. and myself, I feel it is time to kill, or at least modify, A more flexible approach by those who have creat- many of the restrictions for orchids. ed as well as those who enforce CITES would allow Because orchids must have phytosanitary certifica- desirable orchids to be imported for future propaga- tion before being shipped or carried across some tion by responsible, certified growers. The subsequent international borders, the quantity of orchids being availability of plants reproduced in numbers might shipped can still be checked and controlled at the then be sold at reasonable cost. Making them avail- time of these inspections. I remember the policy prac- able might very well help protect orchids in their nat- ticed in Jamaica prior to the advent of CITES that ural environment. worked well. Collectors were limited to a maximum Here’s where the idiocy of CITES shows its stupid- of five plants of any one species to be removed from ity. A scientist wishing to send dried, pressed speci- the island. Orchids were checked and released upon mens of orchids or vouchers of flowers or other plant completion of a plant health inspection and record of parts must go through the time and expense of obtain- the species being taken. ing CITES permits to carry or send material for their I began illustrating plants and flowers in the work. And a matching CITES at the receiving end Oncidium alliance in 1984. I was fortunate to receive must also be issued. To say the least, this is certainly plants from growers and dealers in Mexico and not a productive application of CITES regulations. It Central and South America and the Caribbean by hampers research and I think the complete removal of mail, courier or in person. After completing nearly Appendix II restrictions would eliminate these prob- half the paintings for my book, The Pictorial lems. Recently, I prepared twenty small bottles with Encyclopedia of Oncidium, along came CITES Caucaea vouchers in silica gel that I wanted to send adding years to the work. That was the bad news. The to Mark Chase at Kew for DNA sequencing. I was book actually took thirteen years for me to complete refused a CITES in Quito. But I can take a bunch of the original edition. The good news is that to legally cut flowers across international borders anywhere in obtain plant material, I was forced to travel to many the world. Frankly, I think this kind of organized countries in Central and South America that I might inanity, coupled with abuse of power, needs to be never have visited. exposed and discussed as often as possible to try to LANKESTERIANA 7(1-2), marzo 2007. © Universidad de Costa Rica, 2007. RD 166 3 IOCC PROCEEDINGS wake up the CITES organization in hopes that some- CITES authorities should change their rulings on one there knows a little about orchids.

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