ILLEGAL COLLECTION OF HOODIA MAY ROB THE WORLD OFF ITS NATURAL REMEDY FOR OBESITY

The Northern Cape’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, Environment and Conservation (DALEC) has reliably learned of Hoodia material being supplied to the international pharmaceutical market without permits. The illegal collection of Hoodia has escalated to such an extent that its future existence may well be ‘under greater threat than ever before.’ DALEC’s Conservation Directorate has embarked on an all out effort in bringing to book the perpetrators. The Department is however not at liberty to disclose details of cases that are being investigated.

Efforts have also been undertaken in notifying the public on the elements of what constitutes illegal action. No person may collect, uproot, destroy or trade with any part or seed of this plant without a permit issued by the Directorate. In addition, a written letter of consent from the property owner where the collection will be taking place - is required in addition to holding a legal Hoodia collection permit. Lastly, the Directorate may request a resource assessment to be done where needed, before considering the issuing of a permit.

The Directorate also learned through its investigations that some Hoodia collectors provide their clients with bogus plant species. A process of reviewing all matters pertaining to the collection of wild plants had been initiated. The Directorate has also improved on its communication and liaison with Hoodia Range States to sensitize them on the threat that illegal collection poses for the long-term survival of medicinal plants. End.

Brief Background: Hoodia became a well sought after product amid being internationally acclaimed as a top natural remedy for obesity with its properties being rediscovered by the pharmaceutical research fraternity. It has been regarded as a traditional medicine of the Northern Cape’s San communities for centuries and remains a protected species under the Nature and Conservation Ordinance (No. 19 of 1974). A historic patency rights agreement on the appetizer P57-Hoodia was undersigned in March last year between the Northern Cape’s Kgalagadi-San and the Centre for Science, Innovation and Research.

The Department’s MEC, Dawid Rooi, successfully spearheaded the province’s first Medicinal and Indigenous Plant Workshop. The workshop fiercely debated the cultivation of medicinal plants and their benefits for indigenous communities. It was also aimed at developing a database on the medicinal and cosmetic value of endemic plants, stimulating entrepreneurship for large-scale job creation opportunities and creating intellectual property rights awareness or community owned knowledge base on medicinal plants. The province has over 6 000 plant species that occur in 13 major veld types.

Enquiries: Thabo Mothibi @ 083 255 8840 / tmothibi@grand.ncape.gov.za