CITES protection of the environment.

From: Riley2362 at aol.com on 2001.07.27 at 06:18:06(7146) I think that Tim's attitude is one that is highly dependent on a blind belief that government regulation is effective in protecting the environment. It is also contingent on a belief that the CITES committee knows more about the plant population of the world than the people and countries in which the plants grow. Many of their listings are highly speculative, politically motivated, and not very informed. While I am in favor of environmental protection, I would not presume to know if we (mankind) should stop the wheels of evolution by protecting and preserving every species of plant and animal in existence - somebody is going to lose out in the end. Those of you who have observed any plants growing in the wild know that more destruction is accomplished routinely by native populations of people and other animals, than any plant collector ever will. One only needs to witness the routine burning of Central and South America or the simple overgrazing of cattle to know that no law by any government will control extinction or evolution. All that rolled together tells me that - while it seems likely that somebody's law was broken, in the case of Pepe Portilla, it would also seem that the priorities are a little "out of whack" here. There is a Colombian "plant importer" on my streetcorner this very moment who has imported a thousand times more dangerous plants than a few "old" cycads, and the authorities have no interest in him - perhaps it's the crystalline purity of his plants that assures them that they are free of nematodes and all other harmful substances. Send that wired guy over please. - Michael Riley in Neuva York

From: magrysbo at shu.edu on 2001.07.27 at 21:37:07(7163) Yes, what about the "plant importers" who import the plants from forests and other natural habitats to the troughs of their livestock? Riley2362@aol.com@mobot.org on 07/27/2001 02:18:51 AM Please respond to aroid-l@mobot.org Sent by: aroid-l@mobot.org +More To: Multiple recipients of list AROID-L cc: Subject: CITES protection of the environment. I think that Tim's attitude is one that is highly dependent on a blind belief that government regulation is effective in protecting the environment. It is also contingent on a belief that the CITES committee knows more about the plant population of the world than the people and countries in which the plants grow. Many of their listings are highly speculative, politically motivated, and not very informed. While I am in favor of environmental protection, I would not presume to know if we (mankind) should stop the wheels of evolution by protecting and preserving every species of plant and animal in existence - somebody is going to lose out in the end. Those of you who have observed any plants growing in the wild know that more destruction is accomplished routinely by native populations of people and other animals, than any plant collector ever will. One only needs to witness the routine burning of Central and South America or the simple overgrazing of cattle to know that no law by any government will control extinction or evolution. All that rolled together tells me that - while it seems likely that somebody's law was broken, in the case of Pepe Portilla, it would also seem that the priorities are a little "out of whack" here. There is a Colombian "plant importer" on my streetcorner this very moment who has imported a thousand times more dangerous plants than a few "old" cycads, and the authorities have no interest in him - perhaps it's the crystalline purity of his plants that assures them that they are free of nematodes and all other harmful substances. Send that wired guy over please. - Michael Riley in Neuva York

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