22 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

%BAMBOO way that harvesting trees will, since it grows layers to suit all outdoor pursuits, is back within weeks rather than the years launching a new line of bamboo thermal Dell develops an ecological bamboo needed for other trees. (Source: underwear to move towards more computer TECH.BLORGE.com [Australia], 30 April ecofriendly material that still fits the Bamboo this, bamboo that, what’s up with 2008.) technical criteria of the brand. the bamboo buzz? Bamboo thermal underwear wicks The bamboo plant is strong, renewable Bamboo speakers moisture away from your skin – keeping you and inexpensive. There are nearly 1 000 Panasonic has showcased a number of its naturally drier and comfortable in all different species of bamboo and it can be environmentally friendly products at the First temperatures. Worn as a base layer it traps grown in almost any moderate climate. World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu warm air next to the skin but is highly Bamboo can grow 20 m in under 60 days. Dhabi this week. The consumer electronics breathable in hot weather. It is also naturally However, extremely fast growth is not manufacturer presented its new range of antibacterial – staying fresher and odour- bamboo’s only environmentally friendly speakers that use bamboo fibres in the free for longer. virtue. Bamboo also helps repair the speaker cones. Bamboo not only gives a Most important, bamboo is just as good devastating effects of deforestation and better sound quality than traditional speaker as or even better than any of the other mining to soil and communities. It actually cone materials, but it is also much more alternatives but it is also extremely good for removes toxins from the soil, prevents durable, extending the life of the speaker. the environment. (Source: Ski Rebel erosion and provides jobs and food for many (Source: ArabianBusiness.com [United Arab Magazine [Ontario, Canada], 30 January people. Emirates], 22 January 2008.) 2008.) Bamboo thrives in a diverse landscape up to 12 000 feet (3 657.6 m) and releases 35 Bamboo “silk” protects against ultraviolet percent more oxygen than an equivalent rays and bugs stand of trees. It is the strongest plant Fibres formed from pulped bamboo can be known to humans. woven into strong, silky fabrics that wick Bamboo is also extremely versatile. It has away sweat. Now they have been made to thousands of uses, from paper to clothing, absorb harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and kill fences, construction, chopsticks, flooring, bacteria as well. musical instruments – the list is endless. Bamboo, which is the fastest-growing Furthermore, when manufacturing solid plant and requires no pesticides, is touted as hardwood flooring from plantation timber, an environmentally friendly material. only 20–25 percent is used. Bamboo However, while its natural ability to kill flooring, on the other hand, uses over 90 bacteria has been hyped, Subhash Appidi percent of the bamboo plant with no and Ajoy Sarkar at Colorado State wastage. University, United States, found that some Its strength-to-weight ratio is better than finished bamboo fabric does not have this %BERRIES graphite. The United States Navy even used ability and could cause unpleasant odours. bamboo to reinforce concrete in the Second The fabric they tested also let in UV light. Açaí berries make jump from food into World War. The pair added UV-absorbing molecules skin care In conclusion, the buzz about bamboo is to a commercially available bactericide. They've already created a big buzz in the quite legitimate. (Source: ENN News, 1 April Bamboo fabric dipped in the mixture killed food world over their rich antioxidant 2008.) 80 percent of bacteria and blocked UV rays. properties, now a United States The results were reported at the 235th aesthetician is launching a skin-care Dell develops an ecological bamboo National Meeting of the American Chemical treatment featuring açaí berries from the computer Society. (Source: New Scientist [United palm Euterpe oleracea. Dell has designed a beautifully sleek, Kingdom], 15 April 2008.) Karen's Specialty Skincare is now energy-efficient desktop computer. This launching a skin-care line featuring the bamboo beauty will improve the look of any Greener gear for skiers and boarders much-heralded superfood. Company office and improve your envirogeek cred at Bamboo appears to be the natural material founder Karen Dunlap said she was able to the same time. The bamboo desktop is 81 of choice for the manufacturer of both “connect the dots” between science and percent smaller than other desktops and snowboards and skiwear. nature, allowing her to develop the Açaí uses 70 percent less power. The internal Salomon snowboards have launched a Berry Anti-Aging Facial at her skin-care specs are not known at this time so it is brand-new freestyle ecoboard called the clinic in California, United States. She unclear what chips are incorporated or what Sick Stick. It is made entirely from bamboo, claims that thanks to the antioxidant-rich other technology has gone into creating this with the edges of the snowboard properties of the açaí berry extract small energy-efficient computer. constructed from rubber and bamboo, and incorporated into the formulation, the One thing is clear, this computer reflects the layers that make up the base of the product is able to combat premature Dell’s “green” commitment. Harvesting board made of bamboo light glass. The ageing, as well as nourishing the skin and bamboo for use as computer cases (as well structure of the board offers super-easy improving the tone. as floors, panelling, clothing, furniture and transition to switch even in deep powder. Otherwise known as the Amazonian so on) will not deplete bamboo in the same Thaw, a brand that designs thermal base palm berry, açaí was shown to top the

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS 23

antioxidant rankings in a study conducted more than 100 years. People in the Ninxia Source of protein, vitamins and minerals in 2006 by AIBMR Life Sciences that region of northern China have 16 times Of the hundreds of insect species reportedly showed it had the highest ORAC (oxygen more centenarians than people in the rest eaten as human food, the most common radical absorbance capacity) antioxidant of the country. come from four main insect groups: beetles; value of any food. Researchers began studying goji berries ants, bees and wasps; grasshoppers and Açaí also taps into the major trend expecting to find similar results as other crickets; and moths and butterflies. As a towards cosmetic products incorporating fruits. However, vitamin, mineral and food source, insects are highly nutritious. food ingredients into formulations as a nutrient analysis revealed that the berry is Some insects have as much protein as meat means of providing naturally derived active one of the most nutritionally rich foods on and fish. In dried form, insects often have properties. the planet. twice the protein of fresh raw meat and fish, Dunlap says that as well as being In 1988, the Beijing Nutrition Research but usually not more than dried or grilled enriched with antioxidants, the inclusion of Institute conducted detailed chemical meat and fish. Some insects, especially in açaí berry in the skin treatment also means analysis and nutritional composition the larval stage, are also rich in fat and that it contains phytonutrients, vitamins studies of the goji berry. They discovered contain important vitamins and minerals. and minerals to help promote skin cell that it is packed with an incredible range of Most edible insects are harvested from health. vitamins, minerals, protein, amino acids, natural forests. Yet, while insects account The berry extract is also enriched with essential fats and health-enhancing for the greatest amount of biodiversity in flavonoids, which fight inflammation, phytonutrients. forests, they are the least studied of all together with essential amino and fatty Research has shown that the goji berry fauna. “Little is known about the life cycles, acids to help regenerate skin cell growth, is loaded with age-defying, disease- population dynamics, commercial and and phytosterols to preserve collagen. preventing antioxidants. Its ORAC value management potential of most edible forest (Source: CosmeticsDesign.com [France], 5 (the value a food is given for its protective insects,” said Patrick Durst, Senior FAO February 2008.) potency) is far higher than blueberries, Forestry Officer. “Among forest managers, pomegranates, oranges or raspberries, all there is very little knowledge or Indian berries may fight dengue of which are powerful antioxidants appreciation of the potential for managing mosquitoes themselves. (Source: Natural News.com and harvesting insects sustainably,” noted Hong Kong SAR. Berries of a common [Arizona, United States], 2 April 2008.) Durst. “On the other hand, traditional forest weed found in India may be effective in dwellers and forest-dependent people often fighting mosquitoes that spread dengue possess remarkable knowledge of the fever, a study has found. Synthetic insects and their management.” insecticides are increasingly useless in In some areas, insects are only fighting disease-spreading mosquitoes, occasionally eaten as “emergency food” to such as Stegomyia aegypti that can spread stave off starvation. But in most regions dengue and yellow fever viruses. where insects are consumed for food, they In the online open access journal BMC are a regular part of the diet and are often Complementary and Alternative Medicine, considered delicacies. In Thailand, nearly scientists in India described how they used 200 different insect species are eaten, many juice and extracts from the Solanum of which are highly sought after as snacks villosum weed and found it was particularly and treats. Vendors selling insects are a effective in eliminating S. aegypti larvae. common sight throughout the country, and “The extract ... from the plant could be used in the capital, Bangkok. in stagnant waterbodies that are known to % EDIBLE INSECTS Traditionally, humans have benefited be the breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” from insects largely for the production of the scientists from the University of Beastly bugs or edible delicacies honey, wax and silk, as a source of dye, and Burdwan in West Bengal stated. Chiang Mai. With over 1 400 insect species in some cultures as food and medicine. They went on to discover that the juices eaten by humans worldwide, the insect Wherever forest insects have been part of contained certain chemical compounds world offers promising possibilities both the human diet, the insects are usually that act as a repellent protecting against commercially and nutritionally, FAO said collected from the wild, with most collectors the lethal effects of the larval mosquitoes. today. A workshop organized by FAO in focusing on larvae and pupae – the insect (Source: Reuters India, 3 April 2008.) February 2008 discussed the potential for forms most commonly eaten. Simple developing insects in the Asia-Pacific processing and cooking are the norm and Studies show goji berries are among the region. only minimal forest management is needed most nutritious foods on the planet While the idea of eating insects may to exploit the resource. People in the valleys of the autonomous seem unusual or even unappetizing to A few insects such as silkworms and region of Tibet and Mongolia cherish the some, human consumption of insects is bees were domesticated centuries ago, but goji berry (also known as the wolfberry, actually very common in most parts of the it is only recently that interest has grown in Lycium barbarum). In fact, they honour it in world. At least 527 different insects are rearing other insect species for food. It is celebrations that last two weeks each year. eaten across 36 countries in Africa, and now common to find farmers in northern It is believed this berry is what gives them they are also eaten in 29 countries in Asia Thailand, for example, raising bamboo their disease-free lives, which often last for and 23 in the Americas. worms or crickets for sale to local buyers.

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 24 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

Commercial potential Nutritional value of some of the insects consumed in Limpopo province, South Africa (based on a 100 g serving) Aside from their nutritional value, many experts see considerable potential for Species Protein Energy Minerals Carbohydrates Fats edible insects to provide income and jobs (%) Kcal/100 g (g/100 g) (g/100 g) (%) for rural people who capture, rear, Stink bugs process, transport and market the insects. (Encosternum delegorguei) 35.2 2 599 1.2 7.63 50.5 These prospects can be enhanced through Termites the promotion and adoption of modern (Macrotermes falciger) 41.8 7 611 0.75 No data 44.3 food technology standards for food insects Mopane worms (Imbrasia belina) 63.5 543 3.5 11.4 18 that are sold live, dried, smoked, roasted 45–65 No data No data No data 51 or in some other form. Care must, Grasshoppers/locusts 77.2 363 2.1 12.4 12 however, be taken to ensure that the 46.1 No data No data No data 9.6 insects are hygienically safe for human consumption and do not contain excessive amounts of chemical residues such as insecticides. RECIPES FOR COOKING SOME EDIBLE 3. Squeeze the bugs and then wash them “Opportunities also exist for improved INSECTS in cold water to clean the defensive packaging and marketing to make edible secretion. insects more enticing to traditional buyers Mashonzha mopane worms 4. Boil the bugs and then sun dry them. and to expand the market to new Mopane worms are available from April 5. Put two cups of dried bugs in a pot. consumers, especially in urban areas,” to May and from December to January. 6. Add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon according to Durst. (Source: FAO 1. After harvesting the mopane worms, of salt and mix. Newsroom, 19 February 2008.) squeeze out the gut content, starting 7. When the water is dry, add fish oil and from the head. fry the bugs. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 2. Wash the worms in cold water and 8. This serves about four people, with Patrick B. Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO then boil them for about 15 minutes in porridge. Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 39 Phra a pot. Atit Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10200. Fax: (66-2) 3. Add salt to taste. Nzie locusts 697-4445; e-mail: [email protected] 4. Allow the worms to cool down and Locusts are harvested when they are then put them in the sun for a few inactive, especially in cold weather; a tree Recipes for southern Africa’s edible days until they are completely dry. branch is used to hunt for them. insects 5. Dried mopane worms can be eaten as 1. Once a locust is caught, remove the Most rural people in southern Africa utilize snacks, with or without porridge, wings and hind legs. edible insects as a household nutritional and/or cooked again. 2. Wash the locusts in cold water and put supplement as well as for income 6. The steps for cooking mopane worms them in a pot. generation. Insects supplement the human are given below. 3. Add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon diet with protein, energy, minerals, • Soak one cup of mopane worms in hot of salt and mix. carbohydrates and various vitamins (see water for about 30 minutes. 4. Fry the locusts in fish oil until they are Table). Some individuals (mostly women) • Rinse the worms in cold water. brownish in colour. sell these insects at local urban markets • Put them in a pot with 1/2 fried onion, 5. Serve with porridge. for household income. The insects are 2 tomatoes, curry and green pepper. eaten raw, roasted or dried by rural • Add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon Madzhulu termites inhabitants in southern Africa. Factors of salt and mix. Termites are trapped by inserting a reed such as an abundance of insects in a • Allow to boil for about 20 minutes. into their hole; once they bite the reed particular area, ethnic group and religious • This serves about five people, with (as a defence mechanism), they will be beliefs, determine the adoption of a porridge. trapped in the reed. particular insect. 1. First put the trapped termites in a The cooking and eating of these insects Thongolifha stink bugs bucket or container. are part of the tradition and culture of Stink bugs are collected at dawn when 2. Separate the termites from debris. southern Africa. However, as the they are still inactive. 3. Put them in a pot, add water and salt population becomes more modernized, 1. After harvesting the bugs, put them in and fry them. consumption is being drastically reduced. hot water to kill them. 4. Sun dry them for several days until As a result, people are ashamed of eating 2. Separate them from leaves and other they are completely dry. the insects, and those who cannot afford debris. 5. Eat as snacks with porridge. other nutritional food supplements become more vulnerable to malnutrition. The recognition of the role of edible insects in household nutrition is essential (Contributed by: Rudzani Makhado Research (CSIR), Pretoria 0001, and people should be educated on how to and Kenneth Mabaso, PO Box 395, South Africa. harvest and cook them. Council for Scientific and Industrial E-mail: [email protected])

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS 25

Insectes en République Démocratique • les crevettes (Caridina africana) et les medical and health areas, including du Congo crabes (Potamonautes bayonianus) sont metabolic syndrome, stress, physical Les insectes jouent un rôle important dans récoltés dans les rivières et ruisseaux du endurance, cardiovascular diseases, les régimes alimentaires des peuples du sous-bois des forêts hydromorphes, immunomodulation, reproductive health, and monde entier. Dans les régions tropicales surtout pendant les saisons sèches. Ils neuroprotective and psychiatric disorders. et subtropicales, en particulier, ils sont très appréciés par les populations Ginseng is one of the most widely used représentent une source de nourriture des zones forestières. medicinal herbs in the world. The two best- acceptable, principalement intéressante Dans les villes visitées, principalement à selling species are North American ginseng pour les populations rurales vivant en Kinshasa, Mbandaka et Kisangani, les (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng autosubsistance, dans la mesure où ils chenilles sont vendues chez les grossistes (Panax ginseng). peuvent être trouvés en abondance et par sac de 40 kg et, chez les détaillants, par The research project is headed by Dr faciles à récolter. Etant riches tant en des mesures communément appelées Edmund Lui from the Schulich School of protéines qu’en lipides, ils améliorent «sakombi» (100 sakombi = 1 sac) et «ekolo» Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western sensiblement la qualité du régime (1 ekolo = 3 sakombi), ou parfois par tas. Le Ontario, Canada. Dr Lui explained: "This is alimentaire. Ils constituent en outre une prix suivant la loi de l’offre et de la demande the most extensive project on ginseng ever source de revenus pour la majorité de présente des écarts énormes entre les lieux planned; it involves six of Ontario's ramasseurs. de production et ceux de consommateurs universities and key participants from the Parmi les insectes les plus recherchés urbains. Il est par exemple de 35 dollars le industry like Naturex, the largest botanical figurent: sac à Monkoto (non loin de Mbandaka dans extracts manufacturer in North America. The • les chenilles sont très prisées aussi la province de l’Equateur), de 50 dollars à ultimate objectives of this project are health bien par les populations rurales que Mbandaka, de 120 dollars à Kisangani et de claims validation and to establish an par les populations urbaines. Les 140 dollars à Kinshasa. Associant le coût de ‘umbrella branding’ for the Ontario ginseng." espèces les plus consommées transport par bateau (5$) et les taxes The scientific team involved in this project appartiennent à diverses familles, estimées à environ 3,5 dollars, on observe consists of researchers with diverse notamment: Attacidae, Notodontidae, que la marge bénéficiaire du produit à backgrounds including agriculture, life etc. Elles se nourrissent des feuilles de Kinshasa est de 276 pour cent. sciences, biochemistry, social sciences, différentes espèces forestières telles Source: Analyse de l’état des lieux du economics and marketing. que Bridelia ferruginea, B. micrantha, secteur des produits forestiers non ligneux On 29 January, the Ontario Minister of Erythrophleum suaveolens, et évaluation de leur contribution à la Research and Innovation announced that his Entandrophragma spp., Petersianthus sécurité alimentaire en République Government will grant Can$6.9 million to the macrocarpus, Triplochyton démocratique du Congo. Décembre 2007. Ontario Research Fund as a contribution to scleroxylone et Trema orientalis. On Documents du projet «Renforcement de la this five-year project. (Source: les récolte pendant la petite saison sécurité alimentaire en Afrique centrale à Edubourse.com (Communiqués de presse) sèche durant les mois de juillet et août travers la gestion et l’utilisation durable des [France], 26 February 2008.) et parfois septembre; produits forestiers non ligneux (PFLN)» • les larves d’Oryctes sp.et de (GCP/RAF/398/GER) www.fao.org/forestry/ Wild ginseng in Bhutan becomes Rhynchophorus phoenicis qui se site/43715/en) endangered développent dans les troncs d’Elaeis Ginseng has been used in traditional guineensis et de Raphia sp. en Bhutanese medicine and in many Asian décomposition. Elles constituent une cultures as a nourishing stimulant to friandise appréciée surtout par les increase mental and physical efficiency, populations forestières de l’Equateur, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, urbaines et rurales. On les récolte and also to address sexual dysfunction in toute l'année; men. Tried and tested products of ginseng, a • les criquets, qui apparaissent surtout slow-growing perennial plant, are today sold en début des saisons sèches, sont the world over in health stores, and their consommés tant par les populations unique properties substantially benefit locales qu’urbaines. Les espèces growers. faisant l’objet d’une récolte assidue In Bhutan, wild ginseng (Panax pseudo- pendant la période favorable sont ginseng subsp. H. Hara) grows sparsely in Ruspolia differens (la sauterelle verte) %GINSENG specific locations at elevations ranging from et Brachytrupes membranaceus 2 300 to 3 000 m above sea level. (grillon); Major ginseng research programme However, the wild plant has become highly • les termites dont la récolte est Avignon. Naturex announces today its endangered because of growing illegal effectuée à l’occasion des vols participation in the project "New collection, according to researchers with the d’essaimage, principalement lors du Technologies for Ginseng Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources Research retour des pluies. Les termites de la Product Development", an innovative Centre in Jakar, Bumthang. “A small area in famille des Macrotermitidae sont les programme oriented towards validating Dochola, once filled with the plant, has none plus convoités, principalement l’espèce several health claims on North American left today because of indiscriminate Macrotermes falciger. ginseng. Research will focus on various collections and destruction of its natural

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 26 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

habitat,” said the centre’s principal (Source: Horsetalk [Canterbury, New taps into the growing research trend in researcher, Dorji Wangchuk. He added that Zealand], 1 January 2008.) beverages for producing emulsions with less ginseng plants in the forest were scattered or no gum Arabic, a gum historically subject and thinly populated, with ages between one Ginseng helps cancer patients reduce to some supply variations. and four years. “The oldest plant found was fatigue, increase energy "The present study demonstrated that the of six years, indicating its life span in American ginseng may reduce fatigue and substitution of 20 percent Arabic gum with Bhutan’s forests.” increase overall psychological well-being high pectin concentration (3–4 percent weight The researcher said that it had become in cancer patients, according to a study for weight) resulted in a better storage imperative to try and domesticate the species conducted by researchers at the Mayo stability, thus ensuring the adequacy of and introduce commercial varieties for Clinic in Rochester, New York, and pectin as a potential replacer for Arabic gum export to protect the plant in the forest and presented at the annual meeting of the in the formulation of orange beverage also to provide a lucrative option for farmers. American Society of Clinical Oncology. emulsion," wrote lead author Hamed As a personal initiative, Dorji Wangchuk Researchers treated 282 cancer patients Mirhosseini from the Faculty of Food Science has already begun trials to cultivate the plant with a daily dose of either a placebo or of and Technology at the Universiti Putra in his garden at Kuje. The trials started in 750, 1 000 or 2 000 mg of Wisconsin Malaysia. November 2004 with nodular rhizomes ginseng. They found that treatment with the The supply of gum arabic (E414 in the collected from Pelela, which were planted in placebo or the 750-mg dose caused very European Union), also called acacia gum a mixed humus and sandy soil under artificial little improvement in measures of fatigue or because it comes from acacia trees in the shade. The plant in the mixed humus showed physical or psychological well-being. gum belt of Africa, is variable because of healthy growth. Dorji Wangchuk said that Treatment with the higher doses, however, political and climatic factors in the primary American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) led to an improvement in overall energy and producing countries such as the Sudan and had been tried with a few seeds in 1984, but vitality levels, a decrease in fatigue and an Nigeria; this has led to spikes in the price of the plants withered from too much sunshine, improvement in overall emotional, mental, the ingredient. as he then had no knowledge regarding physical and spiritual well-being. Extreme Gum arabic, known as the Rolls-Royce of ginseng cultivation. fatigue is a common symptom among gums, is widely used by the food and Dorji Wangchuk learned a little more cancer patients, one that often cannot be beverage industry, and the top producers about ginseng cultivation after a 16-day trip remedied by increased rest or sleep. (mainly the Sudan) bring about 50 000 tonnes to Shimane, Japan, in 1986. However, Ginseng has a long history of use in of gum to the market each year. importing ginseng seeds had been a major Asian and indigenous American cultures. In Attempts to find an alternative have led problem, although the plant was modern times, it is most often used to researchers to study alternatives that could commercially cultivated in the Republic of increase energy levels and stamina and to be used as a thickener, adhesive and Korea, Japan, China and the United States of reduce stress or fatigue. It can also stabilizer for food and beverage applications. America. The researcher said that the reportedly help in the treatment of diabetes (Source: FoodNavigator.com [France], 10 ginseng plant needs shade and a lot of leaf and can reduce obesity risk. April 2008.) mulch and manure and that the age of the All of these purported benefits have led plant can be read by the number of stems. ginseng to become the second best-selling Ginseng is commercially grown from herbal supplement in the United States, at %MAPLE SYRUP seeds and seedlings but its propagation from US$62 million annually. It has even been rhizomes is not known. The trials will show incorporated into mainstream energy Untapped resource whether propagation is possible from drinks, albeit usually in subclinical doses. New York has untapped potential in its trees nodular rhizomes, said the researcher. Lead researcher Debra Barton of the – an opportunity only saps would ignore. It is usually the dried roots of the plant that North Central Cancer Treatment Group, That's the word from the state's maple syrup are consumed for their properties. Recent shied away from advising cancer patients to industry, which says that only about 1 percent studies have shown that some ginseng take ginseng supplements. The of New York's estimated 300 million sugar contains the biologically active saponin. researchers hope to begin clinical trials by maples are accessed for their sap. The (Source: Kuensel [Bhutan], 14 February 2008 to find safe ways to incorporate percentage is believed to be considerably 2008.) ginseng into cancer treatment. (Source: higher in Vermont and, particularly, in Natural News.com [Arizona, United States], Quebec. Ginseng aids vaccination response in horses 23 April 2008.) The problem? Limited access to private Ginseng, revered as a human tonic for land. centuries, has been found to have beneficial The industry is backing a bill by Sen. properties for horses. Work undertaken at %GUM ARABIC Charles Schumer, Democratic, New York the Equine Research Centre at the University that would sweeten the pill for private of Guelph in Canada has shown that low Pectin replaces gum arabic for better landowners. The Maple Tapping Access doses of ginseng in the lead-up to an beverage stability Program (TAP) Act would offer money to inoculation improve a horse's antibody Replacing gum Arabic with low levels of states that establish land-access grants and response when it receives a vaccination for pectin can lead to more stable orange incentives. The Maple TAP Act would provide equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). American beverage emulsions, suggests new research a national total of US$20 million annually ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) made the from Malaysia. The study, published in the from 2009 to 2012, a Schumer spokeswoman vaccination more effective. journal Carbohydrate Polymers, Vol. 73(1), said, and states would be in charge of

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS 27

Albany Times Union [New York, United TRAFFIC proposed the standard and States], 30 April 2008.) coordinated several rounds of international vetting in 2005 and 2006. The new Season not so sweet for maple syrup International Standard for Sustainable Wild producers in Canada Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Quebec City. An unusually short season this (ISSC-MAP) is intended to balance the needs year means that the province's maple syrup of people whose traditions and livelihood producers will have trouble meeting demand. depend on these species with long-term After having to dig out their tubing, survival of the plants in their native habitats. because it was still buried under the snow, The new standard is based on six Anne-Marie Granger-Godbout of the principles related to maintaining wild Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers resources, preventing negative says the freezing nights, and warm days environmental impacts, respecting required for the sap to run did not last more customary rights (for example, of indigenous than two to three weeks. "In March there was populations), and exercising responsible Sugar Maple a lot of snow, and it was very, very cold," she management and business practices. Plant designing and implementing their own grant says. "Then very suddenly the weather scientists also drew on earlier guidelines programme. changed and we were almost in summer." both for the conservation of medicinal plants The measure comes as demand for maple Granger-Godbout says a normal syrup- and for good agricultural and collection syrup is increasing, driven by a growing producing season lasts six to eight weeks. practices. "We did not want to reinvent the desire for the product in Japan, China and the Couple the short season with the fact that wheel," says Susanne Honnef, TRAFFIC Russian Federation. The price paid to producers had depleted their reserves medicinal plant officer with WWF Germany, producers has increased by about 30 percent thanks to an aggressive marketing "so the standard builds on existing over the last year, to about US$3 per pound campaign, and she says some export frameworks." (0.45 kg), and there are worries about a markets will not be satisfied. The new standard involves all actors along potential syrup shortage. She admits consumers here could face a the supply chain – from wild plant harvesters David Campbell, president of the New York small price increase but, since 80 percent of to sellers – in a process to determine how to Maple Producers Association and owner of people in Quebec buy their syrup straight conduct harvests and trade sustainably, says Mapleland Farms in the Washington County from the farm, she says it is unlikely that they Honnef. The standard also outlines practices town of Salem, said this would be a great will even notice. (Source: CJAD [Montreal, for monitoring the impact of harvests over time to ramp up his annual production of Canada], 2 May 2008.) time. about 3 500 US gallons of syrup, if he had Honnef says the standard will protect access to more than the 8 000 trees he important natural resources. As the benefits currently taps. A programme that offered MEDICINAL PLANTS of sustainable use become more broadly grants to landowners who allow access to %AND HERBS recognized, harvesters will be encouraged to their trees could work, he said. "They don't protect the ecosystems that support their have to do the work," he added. "We do it for New yardstick for medicinal plant harvests livelihoods. And government agencies will them." Every year more than 400 000 tonnes of have tools for defining benchmarks in a United States producers believe that medicinal and aromatic plants from trade that is often informal and that falls Quebec taps nearly a third of its sugar approximately 3 000 species are traded through the cracks between the groups that maples. And that, Campbell said, "is why they internationally, according to TRAFFIC, a non- manage agriculture and forestry. produce so much more maple syrup than profit watchdog group that monitors The standard was tested in preliminary us". Indeed, Quebec produces as much as commerce in natural products. (Up to 70 000 trials undertaken in six countries. Next five million gallons of syrup annually. species are used medicinally worldwide, comes a two-year implementation phase at Vermont, by contrast, produced 450 000 most of them locally.) Such a growth in sites in Asia, Africa, southeast Europe, and gallons in 2007, while New York trees demand for these plants threatens natural South America. generated 224 000 gallons, according to the resources, since about 80 percent of Josef Brinckmann, Vice President of United States Department of Agriculture. commercially traded species are gathered research and development with Schumer, in a statement, said that the from the wild, according to the World manufacturer Traditional Medicinals, points state has "hundreds of millions of trees" that Conservation Union (IUCN). In February 2007, to Asia and Europe as places where the "are just sitting there, full of a lucrative several groups concerned about the potential standard may first have a significant impact natural resource that could propel New York adverse effects of this rise on plant habitats in alleviating intense harvest pressures. to the top of the maple industry". Schumer's announced an international standard "China and India are the two largest bill would apply to all states, not just New designed to preserve nature's medicine chest producers and exporters of medicinal plants York. That opens potential for other states to for future generations. A year later, the in the world," he notes. Southeastern increase syrup production as well, to the standard appears to be bearing fruit. European countries and the Russian detriment of New York farmers. But The IUCN Medicinal Plant Specialist Federation are also important in the world Campbell downplayed that possibility, noting Group, IUCN Canada, the German Federal market. (Source: David Taylor in that only northeastern states produce Agency for Nature Conservation, the World Environmental Health Perspectives, January significant amounts of maple syrup. (Source: Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Germany and 2008.)

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 28 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

Medicinal plants “facing threat” from overcollection and deforestation. that were at risk of extinction. These included Hundreds of medicinal plants are at risk of Researchers warned that the cures for yew trees, the bark of which forms the basis extinction, threatening the discovery of future diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDs may for one of the world's most widely used cures for disease, according to experts. become "extinct before they are ever found". cancer drugs, paclitaxel. Hoodia, which Over 50 percent of prescription drugs are The group, which represents botanic originally came from Namibia and is derived from chemicals first identified in gardens across 120 countries, surveyed over attracting interest from drug firms looking at plants. But Botanic Gardens Conservation 600 of its members as well as leading developing weight-loss drugs, is also on the International has said that many were at risk university experts. They identified 400 plants verge of extinction, the report said. And half

MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR LIVELIHOODS sustainability, but conservation poverty is increasing. The loss of intervention can occur at several points livelihood is a very real concern, given Medicinal plants are clearly an along the supply chain. that approximately one billion people, important global resource in terms of The consequences of unsustainable a fifth of the world’s population, live health care but they are also an harvest are far-reaching, and not on less than US$1 a day. important economic resource, traded merely confined to a loss of health care A common definition is that a extensively on scales ranging from the or biodiversity. Many of the world’s livelihood is the financial means local to the international. poorest people rely on the collection whereby one lives; for example, by Internationally, the trade in and sale of wild medicinal plants for collecting wild medicinal plants for medicinal plants is estimated to be income generation. Although prices sale. However, this does not necessarily worth US$60 billion per year, increasing paid to gatherers tend to be very low, mean that the plants collected are at a rate of 7 percent a year. medicinal plant collection provides a sufficient to satisfy an individual’s Very little of the raw material to significant income for the often needs or to lift people out of poverty. supply this demand comes from marginal, rural poor. Such a livelihood cannot therefore be cultivated sources. • About 20 000 tonnes of medicinal sustainable. A sustainable livelihood is Of the 3 000 or so species known to and aromatic plants worth US$18–20 one that can cope with and recover be in international trade there are million are traded every year in Nepal from stresses and shocks while approximately 900 for which alone, and about 90 percent are maintaining or enhancing its commercial cultivation is under way or harvested in an uncontrolled fashion capabilities for the future and without in development. Put another way, by landless, resource-poor mountain undermining the natural resource base. 70–80 percent of the medicinal plants farmers for whom the harvest of and Sustainable use meets the needs of the being traded in the world’s most trade in medicinal plants constitute present without compromising the important range countries for their only form of cash income. The ability of future generations to meet medicinal plants originate from situation is similar in Bangladesh, their own needs. (Source: Plants for collection in the wild. Many of these Bhutan, India and other countries of life: medicinal plant conservation and species are widespread and abundant South Asia. botanic gardens. Botanic Gardens but, for naturally rare and heavily • In Namibia, there are an estimated Conservation International [Richmond, exploited species, wild collection can be 5 000–10 000 devil’s claw United Kingdom].) Download at: a major threat with local extinction the (Harpagophytum spp.) harvesters, www.bgci.org/files/Worldwide/ outcome. It is the collection for 50–100 intermediaries and 17 Publications/PDFs/medicinal.pdf commercial trade rather than home use Namibian exporters. The retail value that is the overwhelming problem. in 2001 was some US$40 million, Although notoriously poorly although Namibia captures at most 5 documented, and although our percent of the retail value of the understanding of the biology, ecology trade. and status in the wild of most • Ethnoveterinary medicine is used by medicinal plants is very fragmented, livestock raisers throughout the this level of wild harvest is said to be world to keep their animals healthy currently unsustainable. and productive, since modern We know this because herb treatments may be expensive and Harpagophytum spp. gatherers are having to go further and inaccessible in remote areas. further afield to harvest the plant they The world’s greatest concentration For more information, please contact want; they are experiencing a drop in of medicinal plant wealth is found in the author: Belinda Hawkins, BGCI, harvest levels. Some species simply are tropical developing countries that are Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, no longer there. Unfortunately, the beset by acute poverty. In these Richmond TW9 3AB, United Kingdom. motivation of short-term profit increase regions, the loss of biodiversity and Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 5956; neglects all considerations of land degradation are accelerating as e-mail: [email protected]

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS 29

of the world's species of magnolias are also Heever observed: “There are 40 000 under threat. Magnolias contain the chemical traditional healers in Guateng. They harvest, honokiol, which has been used in traditional harvest, harvest and don’t conserve”. Proper Chinese medicine to treat cancer and slow management of traditional herbals would down the onset of heart disease. probably lead to better yields and therefore The report also said that autumn crocus, cheaper prices, more variety and more which is a natural treatment for gout and has widespread use. In addition, it would been linked to helping fight leukaemia, is at stimulate the local economy by increasing risk of overharvesting since it is popular with the number of job opportunities available the horticultural trade because of its through trading and harvesting. stunning petals. With such a large proportion of Africa’s Many of the chemicals from plants at risk population dependent on medicinal plants, are now created in the laboratory. Herbal tea may help diabetes the matter of quality and standards is However, the report (Plants for life: A herbal tea developed by scientists from crucial. In response, last year, the medicinal plant conservation and botanic the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Association for African Medicinal Plants gardens – see Box) said that as well as future Industrial Research may benefit diabetic Standards unveiled plans for a Pan-African breakthroughs being put at risk, the situation patients. The researchers say the tea – pharmacopoeia – a catalogue of native was likely to have a consequence in the made from the leaves of the local tree African plants with medicinal properties. developing world. It said five billion people Lagerstromia speciosa Lin – could help Each entry includes a list of medicinal uses, still rely on traditional plant-based medicine lower sugar levels in patients’ blood general taxonomic information, a chemical as their primary form of health care. naturally, reducing the amount of insulin profile, and safety and toxicity information. Report author Belinda Hawkins said: "The they need to inject. The herbal tea might The pharmacopeia will also include loss of the world's medicinal plants may not also help reduce obesity, the experts added. information on chemical tests that can be always be at the forefront of the public (Source: The Daily Star [Bangladesh], 6 used to identify medicinal plants. The first consciousness. However, it is not an March 2008 in SciDev.Net Weekly Update phase of the project is already complete and overstatement to say that if the precipitous (17–24 March 2008.) has resulted in the production of 23 plant decline of these species is not halted, it could profiles. destabilize the future of global health care." Nature’s pharmacy: African herbals on the In addition to increasing the quality and (Source: BBC News [United Kingdom], 19 rise reliability of information about African January 2008.) The future of African herbal medicine is in medicinal plants, the Pan-African question as the plants on which it is based pharmacopeia hopes to enhance Cheap malaria medicine from endive fall victim to overharvesting, deforestation cooperation and communication between Wageningen plant scientists are creating a and climate change. This spells disaster for the academic and industrial sectors. This variety of endive that produces the anti- the 80 percent of rural Africans who depend would make it easier for African malarial drug artemisinine. This is in on medicinal plants in times of sickness or communities of all sizes to have a share in a collaboration with the company Dafra injury. Switching to expensive conventional market that has until now been dominated Pharma, which wants to use the plant to drugs is not an option for poor people. by more familiar Asian herbal products. produce inexpensive malaria medicines for Instead, new initiatives are focusing on Efforts to revive traditional African the African market. protecting and studying traditional African medicinal products have already paid off in Artemisinine is a complex compound medicinal plants. countries such as Mali. With the help of derived from the plant annual wormwood The Medicinal Plant Incubator Project scientists from the University of Oslo, (Artemisia annua), which a Chinese was recently launched in South Africa, Norway, this West African nation has researcher discovered can kill the malaria where it is estimated that more than 350 upgraded its research on medicinal plants parasite in the body. Annual wormwood, species of plants are used for medicine. The and has seen cooperation grow between however, is a fussy plant that produces only a primary mission of the project is to protect conventional and traditional medical small amount of active material. “To provide South Africa’s indigenous plants while practitioners. As a result, the mainstream affordable malaria medicines, we need an ensuring that they remain available to the medical community has in recent years efficient source,” says researcher Harro traditional healers and others who use begun to accept many of the plants and Bouwmeester. them. Scientists will also study how the practices of traditional healers. The bitter substances in the endive variety healing properties of these plants are The work that is being carried out in Mali chicory resemble artemisine. But chicory affected by different growing conditions. In has done more than improve the status of lacks the artemisinine enzyme found in order to prevent overharvesting of the traditional healers. It has fostered important annual wormwood. By introducing the gene plants, well-tended nurseries will be links between Malian and European for this enzyme into chicory, Bouwmeester established, from which traditional healers scientists and with the local villages that will thinks he can get chicory to produce can purchase a regular supply of the plants benefit from their research. After studying artemisinine. In about five years, the that they need. the effectiveness of herbs used to treat researchers expect to have a chicory plant that The project is also educating local people everything from malarial parasites to can produce seven times more artemisinine as to the importance of caring for the areas stomach ulcers, scientists give feedback to per hectare than annual wormwood. (Source: where plants with medicinal uses grow the healers who first recommended them, Wageningen Update, 3/07.) naturally. Project leader Erica van den thereby helping local communities to invest

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 30 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

more in the species that have greater %MORINGA OLEIFERA potential for success. “We see a change coming,” said Professor Smestad Paulsen of Potential role of the moringa tree the University of Oslo. “A lot of plants have (the miracle tree) in the food security been verified to have an effect. The World and livelihoods of poor communities Health Organization acknowledges in arid regions traditional medicine as vital to improving The family Moringaceae contains 14 species public health in developing countries.” of moringa trees. Moringa oleifera, known as The future of African herbal medicines is the “multipurpose” tree, is drought tolerant looking much brighter thanks to projects and is the best-known member of the family. such as the Medicinal Plant Incubator Project It is native to the sub-Himalayan regions of and the Pan-African pharmacopeia. As rural northern India and is distributed all over the communities learn how best to conserve world in the tropics and subtropics. Moringa plants with medicinal uses and efforts are tolerates a wide range of environmental made to implement quality standards, conditions, grows in various soils types and Chelidonium majus millions of African people will gain easier can withstand up to 48°C in the shade. access to the treatments they need. With Cancer drug to be produced in the United The great potential of the tree and its time, these initiatives could not only improve Arab Emirates various products has not yet been fully the economies of rural African communities A Ukrainian scientist who invented a recognized: moringa holds tremendous but also introduce African herbals to the rest revolutionary cancer treatment medicine promise for benefiting humanity. Initial of the world. plans to manufacture the drug in Dubai. Dr studies in different parts of the world have [Based on Hidden in the herbs, Norwegian Wassil Nowicky – who was nominated for the evidenced the following usages and benefits. Centre for International Cooperation in Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2005 – said he 1. Excellent human food resource Higher Education; http://www2.siu.no/ was setting up a factory to produce Ukrain, a All parts of this tree are edible; the leaves can vev.nsf/o/SIUs+publications-Global + half-synthetic plant-based medicine, and he be eaten raw, cooked like spinach or made Knowledge-Hidden+in+the+Herbs] (Source: intends to open special hospitals and clinics into a powder that can be added to sauces, Bioversity International. Geneflow 2007, pp. in the United Arab Emirates to treat cancer soups or chowders. The dried powder can be 44–45.) patients from around the world. The anti- stored for long periods. The new leaves have cancer drug market is estimated to be worth a tendency to appear towards the end of the Recherches faites sur l’importance several billion dollars a year and Dr dry season when few other sources of green du Vernonia conferta Norwicky believes he can capture a large leafy vegetables are available. The young Le Vernonia conferta est une plante share once production starts in 2010. His green pods can be eaten whole and are médicinale que l’on trouve dans les forêts du company, Nowicky Pharma, is forming a joint similar in taste to asparagus. The older pods bassin du Congo et dont l’utilisation venture with Abu Dhabi-based Emirates can be used for their seeds, which can be concerne le traitement traditionnel de la Health Care, the Middle East distributor of prepared as peas or roasted and eaten like malaria et la purification du sang à partir the patented drug, to set up the factory. peanuts. The flowers, which bloom around d’un protocole consistant à faire bouillir ses The United Arab Emirates Health Care eight months after the tree is planted, can be feuilles avec de l’eau et d’inhaler la vapeur Chairman Mutasim Al Midfa said: “The raw eaten fried and have the taste and texture of qui s’en dégage dans une enceinte couverte. material is Chelidonium majus, a medicinal mushrooms. In Hawaii, the flowers are used De par son importance dans le domaine plant that grows in southern Europe. We will to make a tea that cures colds. In addition, de l’industrie pharmaceutique résultant grow the plant commercially in Europe and the flowers are a year-round source of nectar d’une recherche visant à voir comment les bring its essence to Dubai to produce the and can be used by beekeepers. Not only is grands singes du bassin du Congo (à savoir drug.” the Moringa oleifera tree extraordinary in les chimpanzés, les gorilles et les bonobos) The factory will have a capacity of 500 000 that all its parts are edible, but its most utilisaient les feuilles de cette plante pour se ampoules per year – last year 100 000 amazing aspect is its exceptionally high débarrasser des vers, leur comportement a ampoules were produced. Each ampoule is nutritional value. The leaves are an excellent poussé les chercheurs à faire des analyses sold for Dh950 and a patient requires 20 source of vitamin A (four times the amount in chimiques qui ont démontré que la sève de ampoules each month. Dr Nowicky said that carrots), rich in vitamin C (seven times the cette espèce végétale contient des the ampoules selectively destroyed cancer amount in oranges), calcium (four times the substances chimiques qui, présentes dans cells without damaging healthy ones. It has amount in milk), protein (twice the amount in un organisme, développent des toxines qui been recognized as the first and only drug to milk) and potassium (three times the amount attaquent des vers. do this by the United States National Cancer in bananas); they are also a good source of Cela montre d’avantage l’importance des Institute. It is free of side-effects such as hair vitamin B and other minerals. ressources naturelles dans l’amélioration loss or extreme nausea, so no additional 2. Improvements in human nutrition and économique et sociale du cadre de vie des drugs are needed. The effectiveness of the health populations à l’échelle locale, nationale, treatment has been proved in 56 universities Moringa is an excellent source of nutrition régionale et internationale. and research institutes by 192 scientists and is a natural energy booster. Since this Contribuition de: Mr Gwomb Bi Hell from 21 countries. energy boost is not based on sugar, it is Emmanuel, BP 8002, Yaoundé, Cameroun. (Source: Emirates Business 24/7 [United sustained. The iron content is very good and Courriel: [email protected] Arab Emirates], 6 February 2008.) the leaves have purportedly been used for

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS 31

treating anaemia in the Philippines. The and sinks to the bottom of the container. The Student researchers study natural water content of amino acids, such as methionine purified water can then be poured out and purifier and cystine, is also high. Carbohydrates, fats boiled. This method has been used for University of Buffalo, United States and phosphorous content are low, making centuries domestically; it was recently tried undergraduate researchers Kelly Miller this one of the finest plant foods to be found. commercially and was found to be equally and Daniel Loscalzo have been working to These qualities have made the Moringa efficient. Moringa is traditionally used for find a natural water filtration system that oleifera tree a candidate in the fight against “household treatment” in the Sudan, Ethiopia could be used in Africa, where potable malnutrition. and Indonesia and is also used successfully water is a luxury. The students, like other A group of health workers from the in large-scale water treatment works in researchers around the world, are trying to Church World Service have been utilizing this Malawi and other countries. develop a plausible way to use the seeds of highly nutritious and fast-growing tree as a 5. Mats, dyes and tanning the moringa tree to purify water naturally means to cure and prevent malnutrition in The bark of the tree can be used to make and with Africa's available resources. While infants and pregnant and lactating women as mats or rope and in tanning hides. The gum many scientists have been focusing on an alternative to the classic and expensive from the cut tree trunks is used in calico commercial use of this technique, Miller food condiments. For pregnant and printing and in some medicines, while the and Loscalzo are trying to make it easier breastfeeding women, moringa leaves and wood can be used to make a blue dye and for people to purify their own water at pods can do much to preserve the mother's also for firewood. home. health and pass on strength to the foetus or 6. Pulp and paper source To use the seeds for water purification, nursing child. One 100 g portion of leaves can The wood provides a pulp that is considered they are crushed into a powder and clean provide a woman with over one-third of her suitable for newsprint, wrapping, printing water is added. The milky product is then daily calcium needs and give her important and writing papers and for viscose rayon added to more water where it acts as a quantities of iron, protein, copper, sulphur grade pulp for textiles and cellophane. coagulant, attaching itself to any bacteria and B-vitamins. In the case of HIV/AIDS, the 7. Oil production and utilization or silt, and sinks to the bottom of the Vitamin A found in moringa has the potential When the pods mature and turn brown, the container. The purified water is then poured to build immune systems and sustain health seeds can be removed and pressed to extract out. “These seeds can be used to filter better. Vitamin A is also considered high-quality oil, similar to olive oil and rich in water instead of expensive imported important in building resistance to malaria. oleic acid (73 percent). The mature seed chemicals," Miller said. Moringa is soothing; it helps lower blood contains about 40 percent oil. The oil, which The students hope to help the Nigeria pressure and is a sleep aid. Its detoxifying is known as ben oil, can be used for cooking, Delta area with their research. (Source: effect may come from its ability to purify lubrication, in soaps, in lamps and in The Spectrum [University of Buffalo, United water. It acts as a coagulant attaching itself perfumes. It was highly valued by the ancient States], 16 April 2008.) to harmful material and bacteria and it is Greeks, Romans and Egyptians and was used believed that this process also takes place in in perfumes and for skin protection; it was Body Shop launches a moringa bath and the body. The result is long-lasting energy also used in Europe in the nineteenth century body range without hyperactivity, a nerve system at rest, for the same purpose, and was imported The cosmetic company Body Shop a blood system not under pressure, and a from the West Indies. (belonging to L'Oréal) has just launched a gland and hormone system in balance. 8. Plant growth enhancer and soil fertilizer moringa bath and body range. Moringa is The flowers and roots of moringa trees An effective plant growth hormone can be presented as a "miracle of hydratation" on contain a powerful antibiotic known as extracted from the fresh leaves and has been the large advertisement posters on the pterygospermin, which also has fungicidal found to increase crop yields by up to 25–30 shop windows. The packaging has white properties. percent. The leaves can also be used as a flowers on it but the origin of the oil is not 3. Animal feed sources green manure to enrich farmlands. In indicated (i.e. there is no mention of fair Leaves and seed press cake are useful as addition, moringa can be used in agroforestry trade). cattle fodder since the dry matter (DM) yield for intercropping with other crops since the This is the first worldwide advertisement is high at 15 tonnes/ha/year. The fresh leaves trees are legumes and add nitrogen to the campaign on a moringa product. (Source: were found to contain 23 percent crude soil. Moringa trees can also be grown as live Moringanews, in April 2008 Update from protein (CP) in DM, 12.3 MJ of metabolizable fences and windbreaks. the Global Facilitation Unit for energy/kg DM. The inclusion of moringa as a (Contributed by: Prof. Hassan M. El Shaer, Underutilized Species.) protein supplement for low-quality diets Desert Research Center, 1 Matahf El Mataria improved DM intake and digestibility of the St, PO Box 11753, Mataria, Cairo, Egypt. E- Philippines biotechnology firm to sell diet and increased milk production. In mail: [email protected]) moringa oil to the United States general, feeding moringa increases daily Manila. A local firm has started exporting weight gain by up to 32 percent and increases malunggay (moringa) seeds and moringa milk production by 43–65 percent. oil, which can be used as biodiesel, 4. Water purification according to the Department of The powder from ground moringa seeds and Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office the press cake left over from oil extraction (DA-BPO). In a statement, DA-BPO said have the ability to clear murky water since that countries such as Brazil, South Africa they act as a coagulant that attaches itself to and Australia have already sought particulate matter and bacteria in the water malunggay seeds from Secura Moringa olifera leaves

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 32 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

International, a 100-percent Filipino %NUTS biotechnology firm. Secura's business includes extracting oil from malunggay Maya nut: a forgotten treasure MAYA NUT (BROSIMUM ALICASTRUM) seeds and marketing it as an edible oil with One of the largest trees in the forests of multiple pharmaceutical uses. Central America, the Maya nut (Brosimum Known as capomo, breadnut or ramón Secura’s president and chief executive alicastrum) used to be abundant throughout nut, among many other names, the officer said that Viet Nam, Indonesia and the region. Its seeds were once a staple food Maya nut – a relative of the fig family Thailand were interested in malunggay and of the Mayan people, as well as sustaining – is rich in fibre, protein, vitamins A, B, that their desire for its oil had intensified dense populations of deer, another Mayan C and E, and minerals, including after they had learned of its use as an staple. Its leaves, pulp and seeds continue to calcium, potassium, folate, iron and alternative biodiesel. Secura is also be central to the diet of many forest birds and zinc. Nutritionally comparable to targeting Japan and the Republic of Korea animals. However, as areas of forest have amaranth, quinoa and soybean, it is as its next biggest markets for moringa oil. been felled for timber and for maize, Maya not surprising that the nut was a Meanwhile, Secura is seeking to nut numbers have declined and the tree has favoured food of indigenous groups in complete 500 000 ha of malunggay become extinct in some areas. Central America. plantations in order to meet the demand for Nevertheless, this nutritious nut, which Maya nut tolerates marginal soils, moringa oil as biodiesel feedstock for North can be stored for up to five years, is an salt and drought and is an excellent American Biofuels, Inc. The United States excellent drought- and climate change- species for rehabilitating degraded firm had scrapped jatropha oil and opted resistant food for rural communities. Entire land. Once established, the tree instead to use moringa oil as biodiesel after villages have survived by eating Maya nuts; requires no inputs yet, once mature, testing a 100 kg sample sent by Secura. flour from the nuts was used as a valued can yield over 180 kg of nuts each year, Malunggay oil, which is extracted from its emergency food after Hurricane Stan in and provide food as well as valued leaves, is said to be far superior to olive oil Guatemala (October 2005) and Hurricane ecosystem services for over 150 years. and is a cheap alternative natural medicine Felix in Nicaragua (September 2007). Yet in for common illnesses. (Source: Inquirer.net many areas, the nuts are considered only as [the Philippines], 13 April 2008.) “famine food” and consumption has dropped to less than 5 percent of local diets. nut-based school lunches to rural “Buy a Miracle Tree” campaign To counter this trend, over 8 000 women Guatemalan schools. Their goal is to The Irish charity Vita has launched the “Buy from villages in Honduras, Nicaragua, revitalize the economies of producer a Miracle Tree” campaign 2008. This Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico have communities, improve children's health, campaign focuses on the vital importance been trained since 2001 by the NGO The reduce dependence on imported food and of trees, particularly moringa, for the Equilibrium Fund to raise awareness of the motivate communities to reforest and protect sustainable livelihoods of people in Africa. potential of Maya nut. Communities are Maya nut trees in Guatemala. The campaign will take place in schools encouraged to conserve the tree, establish Another Guatemalan women's throughout Ireland this spring, with each community nurseries and reforest depleted organization, CODEMUR – the Committee for participating school receiving a fun and areas; they are also taught the nutritional Rural Women's Development – is using a educational special “Buy a Miracle Tree” value of the nut. During demonstration grant from the United Nations Development School Pack. The trees bought will then be cooking days, the women are shown how to Programme (UNDP) to promote Maya nut planted in Ethiopia and Eritrea. (Source: make new and traditional recipes, consumption, conservation and reforestation Nenagh Guardian [Ireland], 1 February substituting Maya nuts for maize. Through its among some of the poorest communities in 2008.) work, the NGO has inspired communities to the southern coastal region of Guatemala. plant more than 300 000 Maya nut trees, Yet while thousands of hectares of rain supplementing food and income, and forest have been conserved as a result of the protecting water sources and forest work of The Equilibrium Fund and its biodiversity. partners, the Maya nut remains endangered The benefits of Maya nut have not just in many areas and is probably extinct in parts been felt at the household level. In 2005, of Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Alimentos Nutri-Naturales, a women's Maya Nicaragua. Unfortunately, in situ nut producer group in Guatemala, opened conservation is the only option for the tree as the first Maya nut processing plant in the the seed is “recalcitrant”, i.e. it does not world. The plant is owned and operated by survive drying or freezing. However, a variety the group, which won a US$10 000 award in that produces fruit in four years, half the recognition of its efforts, by being selected usual time, was recently discovered in from over 100 entrants as one of the top ten Mérida, Mexico. businesses in Guatemala. Erika Vohman, Executive Director and The same group won the prestigious Founder of The Equilibrium Fund, estimates Equator Prize in 2007, which included a that at least 200 Maya nut landraces are US$30 000 cash award. The women have currently vulnerable to extinction and is keen used this money to implement a school to conserve landraces and identify the fastest lunch programme, which will provide Maya growing and most nutritious varieties for

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS 33

reforesting. She concludes: "Investing in Schinziophyton rautanenii (mungomu) The kernels must be cooked to make research and genetic improvement of this and its use in Mozambique them edible. These nutritious kernels have species, as well as encouraging its use for Schinziophyton rautanenii (ex Ricinodendron protein and carbohydrate contents of about 5 food, fodder and environmental services, rautanenii), known as mungomu in Macossa, and 22 percent, respectively. They are may well be one of the most positive things is a tree that produces a nut that is one of the prepared in many different ways, including governments and organizations can do right staples of the diet of the Kung Khoi-San tribe roasting, grilling, boiling, baking and mashed now to improve agro-ecosystem resilience to in the Kalahari Desert. The nut, (also know as in puddings in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, climate change and thereby secure the manketti nut), supplies up to three-quarters Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Polynesia. future of both human and wildlife of the dietary needs of this tribe. In Well-known dishes include lap lap (Vanuatu), populations in the neotropics". (Source: New Mozambique, it occurs irregularly in hot dry koko (Fiji) and masimasi or robe (western Agriculturist Web site, May 2008.) country on poor soils, north of the Save River. Solomon Islands). Fruits are harvested It is recorded from Chibabava, Nhamatanda, either directly from the tree at maturity or Brazil nuts: the green gold of the Amazon Gorongosa and Macossa districts in central from the ground after ripening. The kernels São Paulo. With the certainty that green may Mozambique and from Tete, Nampula and are sold mainly in domestic markets. They generate profit without being destroyed, Cabo Delgado provinces. The tree occurs are also a good feed for free-range chickens. Ouro Verde Amazônia (Green Amazon Gold) both sporadically and in almost pure stands. (Source: extracted from Traditional trees of makes organic products derived from Brazil The objective of a recent study was to Pacific Islands, ed. Craig R. Elevitch, 2006.) nuts. After three and a half years of research, review and document local knowledge of the the company has developed three products: mungomu tree in Macossa and establish FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE extra virgin olive oil, low-fat groundnuts and whether it varies according to gender, socio- AUTHOR OF THIS CHAPTER: cream, which is a kind of royal jelly made economic status and generational Richard L. Pauku, James Cook University, from nuts. With organic certification by differences. The study also looked at how the School of Tropical Biology, PO Box 6811, Ecocert, about a year and a half ago, the nut is used by local people and its importance Cairns and Queensland 4878, Australia. company started making contacts abroad. for food security. The first shipments should be to France, The study found that the culture of using Australia and Malaysia. mungomu is very much alive in Macossa. All "The global demand for sustainable long-term residents knew about the products is enormous. Rich in antioxidizing mungomu tree and its nut; only a few new minerals, omega 6 and omega 9, the residents who had arrived after the civil war products are recommended to prevent were unaware of it. Consumption, however, is diseases and to improve the working of the declining because of the use of oilseeds such human body's metabolism," explained Ana as peanuts, and the amount of work involved Luisa da Riva, partnering director at Ouro in cracking the nuts. Traditional methods Verde Amazônia. "We are also developing involve using a small and a big stone to crush business with Germany and China," she said. the nut, or splitting the nut casing with a stick According to Ana Luisa, on making the and an axe blade. These rudimentary sustainability project real, the company systems were found to be the main barrier to helps people to appreciate one of the main maintaining, or possibly commercializing, the Piper nigrum treasures of the country: the Amazon. "We utilization of the nut. The kernel is used to try to add value to the fruit, integrating and enrich sauces, to accompany meat, fish, and %PIPERINE training Amazon communities, which live vegetables, but also to produce oil. close to the Brazil nut harvest areas, as well Consumption increases in difficult times, Therapeutic value of piperine as practising sustainable development and such as droughts and during the civil war. India is the major producer, consumer and contributing to the preservation of the forest, (Source: Indigenous knowledge of edible tree exporter of black pepper (Piper nigrum), adding effective value to biodiversity," she products – the mungomu tree in central which is known as the “king of spices”. pointed out. Mozambique, by Gregory Saxon and Catarina Spices are mainly added to increase the taste In 2007, Ouro Verde had revenues of Chidiamassamba. 2005. FAO. LinKS Project and flavour of food. Pepper contains piperine, 500 000 Brazilian reals (US$284 000 at Report 40. www.fao.org/sd/LINKS/ a compound that has food and medicinal current exchange rates). The forecast for 2008 documents_download/Kulima_40.pdf) value and is mainly responsible for the is for revenues of 1 million reals (US$568 000), pungency in black pepper. and exports alone should guarantee the same Inocarpus fagifer (Tahitian chestnut) The Romans travelled the Silk Road to volume of revenues as the company had for The edible kernel of Inocarpus fagifer obtain piperine from the Middle East and the whole of its production last year. The (Tahitian chestnut) is an important Asia, while from the 1600s to the 1800s the company should soon place a greater range of indigenous food in many island countries in Dutch and English fought over trade routes organic and sustainable products on the the Pacific. It is available in Vanuatu and land. In 1820, the Danish physicist, market. (Source: Brazil-Arab News Agency between the two yam seasons. The kernel chemist and professor at the University of [ANBA] [Brazil], 8 February 2008.) is an important traditional supplemental Copenhagen, Hans Christian Orsted, was the staple in Fiji, although today its importance first to identify the compound piperine. Its FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: has declined in favour of cassava and chemical makeup was later isolated during www.ouroverdeagro.com.br imported rice. laboratory synthesis in 1882 and 1894.

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 34 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

Pepper and piperine are now widely used Commercially, piperine can be extracted Fresh bid to check sandalwood smuggling throughout the world. using a solvent extraction method. A pinch of in India Piperine is primarily found in the fruit of piperine can replace a large purchase of raw The state forest department is planning to the pepper vine, Piper nigrum, which is pepper. Value-added black pepper in the meet the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) indigenous to the Malabar Coast of India, but form of piperine has great potential for border guarding force to come up with is also grown in other parts of southern Asia, pepper growers, industrialists, exporters strategies to launch a crackdown on the South America and even Africa. The plant is and therapeutists. Hence, awareness needs illegal transportation of red sandalwood known for its broad shiny green leaves and to be created to exploit the efficiency of across the Indo-Nepal border. Red small flowers. Piperine imparts a hot, biting piperine. sandalwood is the finest and most and very pungent taste and makes up 5–7 (Contributed by: M. Velmurugan, K. expensive variety of sandalwood. A forest percent of peppercorns. It is found in nature Rajamani, P.S. Kavitha and P. Paramaguru, representative said that the department will with 98 percent purity. Piperine can also be Horticultural College and Research Institute, meet the SSB and the police in April. The found in other vegetables and spices, such Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, decision, which will be made official shortly, as hot jalapeño peppers. Coimbatore, India.) comes after the department in February In the past, piperine was substituted for intercepted over 10 tonnes of red or used in conjunction with cinchona FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: sandalwood, bought from Andhra Pradesh, alkaloids in the treatment of malarial fevers. M. Velmurugan, Senior Research Fellow, in the bordering Maharajganj district. The Nowadays, it is mainly used to treat Research Cell, Horticultural College and truck driver revealed that he was taking the intermittent fever, but has been found to be Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural sandalwood to Nepal, from where it was to less efficient than the alcoholic extract of University, Coimbatore 641 003, India. E-mail: be sold on the international market, black pepper. Its use has also been advised [email protected] particularly in China and Japan. in colic, diarrhoea, cholera, scarlatina and The wood, as the best of its kind, would chronic gonorrhoea. have fetched over Rs100 crore. Pepper was the first spice used in the This is not the first incident. The route is Middle Ages to season everyday foods. In being used on a large scale by smugglers India, many typical southern foods tend to be from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. extremely spicy. This is not a cultural aspect (Source: Lucknow Newsline [India], 20 but has scientific value: the piperine in the March 2008.) spicy food has a habit of stimulating perspiration, which causes a cooling of the body and is, therefore, very helpful in the %SHEA BUTTER south where summer temperatures can reach 40–45°C. Fair Trade certification spreads to Piperine also enhances the absorption of cosmetics certain vitamins such as selenium, vitamin B %SANDALWOOD Fair Trade certification has long been and beta-carotene. It has the ability to available for food manufacturers and increase the body's natural thermogenic Sandalwood oil deal with Lush (United importers keen to redress power activities (thermogenesis is the process of Kingdom) imbalances in international trade and generating energy in the cell), which in turn Perth-based Indian sandalwood grower, TFS protect the rights of disadvantaged creates a demand for nutrients necessary Corporation Ltd, has signed a five-year deal workers. The certification system has now for metabolism. This has been particularly with United Kingdom-based handmade spread to personal care with shea butter helpful for patients who suffer from a cosmetics company, Lush, to supply oil being the first Fair Trade certified cosmetic defective intestinal lining. Moreover, produced from TFS plantations. Key aspects ingredient to hit the Canadian market. children under five have been fed piperine in of the agreement include the Imported by Quebec-based Société the form of pepper powder, dry ginger and commencement of supply upon the d'Agri-Gestion Delapointe and produced by jaggery (sugar) to alleviate colds and poor availability of the first commercial quantities a female farming collective in Burkina digestion. In addition, piperine inhibits a of oil from TFS plantations, which is Faso, Africa, the Fair Trade shea butter is number of enzymes responsible for anticipated to occur by financial year 11, and suitable for use in lip balms, body milks metabolizing drugs and nutritional for Lush to purchase a minimum of 1 tonne and massage creams. substances. of oil and up to a maximum of 15 percent of A recent Organic Monitor report Piperine is found in most insecticides, TFS oil production in each 12-month period. predicted a sharp rise in the number of Fair especially those used against the common Lush has agreed to create a new Trade personal care products on the housefly. sandalwood-based product range using TFS market over the coming years. Beauty Piperine is a boon to humans because of oil for marketing throughout their worldwide consumers have become increasingly its versatile chemical nature, with a wide retail network of 500 stores in 44 countries. interested and concerned about the ethical medicinal and therapeutic use. It not only TFS will issue one million options to Lush, and environmental impact of their inhibits infection, but also highlights the exercisable at US$1.80 per share at any time purchases. Manufacturers have therefore bioavailability of chemical substances and is within three years of the first commercial oil begun to respond to their demands by involved in catalysing certain complex delivery. (Source: WA Business News seeking Fair Trade certification, which mechanisms in the human immune system. [Western Australia], 21 February 2008.) guarantees a minimum price to producers

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS 35

and requires in return that producers The key element that sets shea butter apart next one to two years and in Europe within pursue projects for further sustainable from other “butters” sourced from seed oils three to six years, no doubt on the back of development. is the essential healing content of the oil, petitioning from Coca-Cola and Cargill. "Access to the international market via which has vitamins A and E and other crucial Currently, the largest markets for stevia Fair Trade is very promising for the women phytonutrients. The higher the healing are Japan and the Republic of Korea. In shea butter producers because it guarantees content of shea butter, the better the quality. Japan, the ingredient has been used to a price per kilo that is two to three times If the product is two years old or more, it may sweeten diet sodas for about 20 years. greater than what companies from the not be as effective; although the moisturizing Other markets where it is approved include conventional market usually offer," said effect will be there, its healing quotient may China and Brazil. Adama Ouedraogo, director of CECO, a have become less. (Source: The Economic Stevia, derived from the South American poverty-fighting NGO that has supported the Times [India], 20 January 2008.) plant Stevia rebaudiana, is said to have up producers of the shea butter in Burkina Faso. to 300 times the sweetness of sugar. As a (Source: CosmeticsDesign.com [France], 31 sweetener, stevia's taste has a slower onset January 2008.) %STEVIA and longer duration than that of sugar, although some of its extracts may have a Shea butter: an essential luxury GLG ramps up stevia production for bitter or liquorice-like aftertaste at high Shea butter is one of those wonderful things Rebiana supply concentrations. However, Cargill and Coca- that too few people know about but actually Ingredient firm GLG Life Tech Corporation Cola claim they have achieved the right end up paying quite a bit for when it makes a will construct two new stevia processing sweetness with their product. (Source: guest appearance in their favourite plants in China, in a bid to meet the supply FoodNavigator-USA [France], 7 January moisturisers and conditioners. Consider this: demands of Coca-Cola and Cargill. The 2008.) 300 g of “pure” shea butter from a premium Canadian firm has raised Can$34.5m brand such as L’Occitane costs around through the issue of additional company US$40. You may well get the same amount of shares in order to finance the expansion shea butter for a fraction of the price, project. however, at an organic or health store. The two new plants, to be located in the What makes shea butter an essential south of China, will start off with a capacity luxury is that it is absolutely necessary if soft, of 1 000 and 500 tonnes of processed stevia. supple skin is your aim, but it is so little GLG's original facility, which last year known that it is very hard to find in India. For expanded its capacity from 100 to 300 many people across sub-Saharan Africa it is tonnes, will ramp up production to 500 as common as, say, coconut oil; increasingly tonnes, placing the firm's overall output at westerners have also woken up to its around 2 000 tonnes per year. wonders and now look for it if not in its pure Coca-Cola and Cargill have developed a %WILDLIFE form, then at least as an ingredient in their proprietary stevia product called Rebiana, winter creams and lip balms. However, the which they plan to market both in food and Caiman yacare in Bolivia very nature of the way shea butter is made beverage products and as an ingredient. Latin America is the richest area in species means that it will never become really cheap The ingredient is in its final stages of of crocodilians, compared with any other for the rest of the world. development, and the two companies soon area in the world; 12 taxa (including Everything about shea is amazing. The expect to start marketing it initially in subspecies) occur from Mexico to Argentina. thick, waxy trunk of the karite (or shea) tree countries where stevia is approved as a food The vast area of humid lands and immense (Vitellaria paradoxa) is flame resistant and additive. They are also expected to petition river systems provide an extensive habitat for extremely resilient even in poor soil, so it for approval in other global markets, caimans and crocodiles, which is the reason grows defiantly across some of the most including the United States and Europe. In for the large number of these animals in the inhospitable parts of Africa. The first fruits order to meet their supply needs, the two region, although the exact numbers are not come only when the tree is 20 years old companies have set up a global supply known. These crocodilians represent a (hence large-scale commercial production chain. GLG is one of their suppliers. resource of considerable ecological value has not been viable), but the tree is then GLG operates as fully integrated a supply and have great economic potential. productive for the next 200 years. The chain as is possible in China since it cannot Latin America has suffered the greatest incredibly tasty fruit is greenish yellow and buy the stevia farms, but will be supplying hunting operations of crocodilians in the looks rather like a cross between a litchi and the high-quality seedlings to farmers and world. Historically, this hunting was carried an amla (Indian gooseberry). buying back the leaf under contract. The out for the international trade in skins, The all-important butter comes from the company claims to control over 80 percent causing a serious decline and local kernel, so people simply eat the flesh and of stevia production in China. It also plans to extinction of some species. In the 1990s, save the pits for this by-product. The kernels develop its own line of table-top products the region provided half of the skins of go through a complicated nine-stage for sale in the United States as dietary crocodilians worldwide. The loss of habitat metamorphosis from sun drying and supplements (for which stevia has and hunting continue and are a risk for the cracking to crushing, roasting and curing regulatory approval). survival of several species. However, there until they attain the creamy shea butter The company is confident that stevia will has been a basic change in conservation avatar, in shades of cream to palest green. be approved in the United States within the tendencies throughout the world, including

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008 36 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

Latin America: international controls are promote the sustainable use of NWFP? FAO Internet sites, 4 300 advertisements for the being implemented that restrict the trade of Non-Wood Forest Products Working sale of wildlife products, including wildlife and improved conservation Document 6. www.fao.org/docrep/010/ elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses and marine management programmes are being k0457e/k0457e06.htm#P408_41380) turtles, have been found. established, generating some optimism with The meetings with authorities in China, regard to the future of caimans and Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan Province of crocodiles. China follow an eight-month survey of The adoption of strategies for the popular Chinese-language auction sites by sustainable use of crocodilians has provided TRAFFIC. As a result, several new incentives for the conservation of these advertisements have been removed, species and their habitat. In Bolivia, the deliveries intercepted and those involved development of a pilot programme convicted. "Sustainable Utilization of Caiman in Bolivia" Once the report World Without Borders started in 1995, creating the basis for the was published, traffic TRAFFIC met the adoption of the Regulation for the China CITES Management Authority and the Conservation and Advantage of the Caiman The high price of wild meat China Internet Information Security (Caiman yacare) in 1997. At the same time, A new report from the wildlife trade Monitoring Bureau to address different the General Biodiversity Direction (DGB) monitoring group TRAFFIC finds that standards in physical and virtual trade. The prepared the national programme of hunting by hungry East African refugees is latest meetings were held with major Web conservation and sustainable use of the decimating populations of chimpanzees, site companies and other relevant species in Bolivia, in which evaluation and buffaloes and zebras in the United Republic organizations, such as the State Forestry monitoring of the caiman population and of Tanzania. More than half a million Administration and the Customs Bureau, to other species of crocodilians were refugees from Rwanda, Burundi and the find solutions to control illegal wildlife trade established. Democratic Republic of the Congo have on the Internet. The habitat of the species consists of taken up residence in camps across the TRAFFIC’s aim is to promote efforts to moving waters for the "white yacare" and country in recent years, pushing the keep online trade legal and sustainable, ponds for the "black yacare", mainly on the nation’s ability to protect its wildlife to the because the extent of wildlife being offered borders of the Amazonian waterbodies. In limit. for sale in apparent contravention of times of abundance, these species inhabited TRAFFIC reports that refugees are international and national laws is alarming. lakes, lagoons, wells, marshes and small resorting to hunting wildlife because The report recommends the development of streams in the plains and forests. Frequently agencies supplying food are not providing strategies to police virtual markets, to bring they cross land when migrating from the meat. “The scale of wild meat consumption in Web-based markets under the same great rivers to the different ponds. East African refugee camps has helped regulatory structure as physical markets The main use of the large reptiles is in the conceal the failure of the international and alert shoppers to the growing use of the leather industry. In 2004, however, export of community to meet basic refugee needs,” Internet for illegal trade. (Source: ENN caiman meat started – both fresh vacuum- said Dr George Jambiya, the report's News, 29 February 2008.) sealed meat and dry meat (charque de principal author. “Relief agencies are turning jacaré) – mainly to the markets of the United a blind eye to the real cause of poaching and Gorilla Agreement enters into force States, Japan and Italy for use in exotic food illegal trade – a lack of meat protein in The Gorilla Agreement, negotiated in October restaurants. refugees' rations.” 2007 by representatives of nine African range Since 1987, Bolivia has maintained a TRAFFIC, a joint operation of two leading states under the auspices of the Convention Convention on International Trade in international non-profit organizations, the on Migratory Species (CMS), has been signed Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the by three range states and will enter into force (CITES) commitment to limit the exports of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), on 1 June 2008. The Central African Republic skins to 50 000 annually. In 2003 and 2004, recommends that relief agencies and the and the Republic of the Congo signed the 48 000 caiman skins were authorized Tanzanian Government increase the supply of agreement during the meeting of the Congo annually. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether meat protein to refugees in order to help Basin Forests Partnership on 26 October or not the quota is being fully respected, reduce overhunting of already strained 2007, while Nigeria signed on 9 April 2008. although a brief evaluation indicated that wildlife populations. But with even canned The first Meeting of the Parties will take recent numbers of caiman skins have not yet meat costing far more than the beans most place on 29 November 2008, in Rome, Italy, reached the annual quota set by CITES. agencies now provide as a protein source, immediately prior to the Ninth Conference of The major challenge in changing the wildlife advocates are not optimistic. (Source: the Parties to CMS (http://www.cms.int/). Government policy from total prohibition to emagazine.com, 27 January 2008.) (Source: MEA Bulletin, 45.) p sustainable use of caiman is to maintain a strong caiman population size, while at the Trade is virtual but wildlife isn’t same time ensuring that local people are Chinese conservationists met major benefiting from the commercialization of Internet auction site companies in January, A clear conscience is a soft pillow. caiman. So far, this challenge seems to have urging action on illegal virtual trade in German proverb been met. (Source: Case study on Caiman thousands of products made from yacare in Bolivia in Trade measures – tools to threatened wildlife. On Chinese-language

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 17 July 2008