Certifying Certification: Can certification secure a sustainable future for

[S.Annadana]

Here is a very useful report series published by the TRAFFIC with the
support of The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation. The author of this series Mr
Pushp Jain deserves kudos for this exhaustive and analytical deliberation.
The publication is so well structured that it makes the write up very reader
friendly. The narration of a clear global status is the strength of the publication which can be noted in “ since the early 90s, various certification schemes have been developed the world over to identify and promote goods meeting specific quality control, environmental and/or social criteria.” Certification is a two way process in which the processes and the standards established derive recognition from a mostly unwritten, mutually acceptable (mandatory) and quality declaration. These standards may, over time, enlarge the scope of their application to different market elements such as pricing, efficacy and effectiveness, more so in case of wild medicinal plants in India. Any scheme of developing and establishing certification standards and norms must accord due recognition to the fact that these are effective in a 'free' market situation where buyers and sellers are free to voluntarily apply their choices.
The report is based on a well-structured qualitative survey, literature search and Certifying Certification: Can certification secure a sustainable future for
medicinal plants, harvesters and consumers in India?
The opinions of people, from various walks of life viz; NGOs, research
organisations, industry representatives, traders and government agencies, havebeen collected so as to enable the policy makers to make a properly analysed and considered decision. The chapter on the review of
certification environment in India is a very useful one as it helps the reader to
understand the current status as well as the preparedness of the country in
different kinds of certification in medicinal plants sector. One may note
that there are “no independent third party certification processes for
sustainable use of medicinal plants” and also “ no herbal industry in India is
reported have certification for environmental standards”. It is clearly
pointed out “medicinal plants are neither covered under the product
quality certification scheme of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BSI) nor
under the environmental and quality eco-labelling scheme, Eco-mark.
The different initiatives towards attempting some certification
standards have also been highlighted, which give the reader an opportunity to
look for leads and clue for future work. The author also makes a clause by
assessment of and possible application of FSC criteria for sustainable harvest
and trade of medicinal plants and concludes, “ There is wide gulf between
the management, trade and use of Non Timber Forest products in India and FSC criteria for NTFP certification.” The recommendations provided at the
end of the publication are of contemporary relevance and the specific agencies concerned and all the stakeholders in general must carry
further their efforts at an increased pace and collectively move towards
establishing an environment and socially friendly, resource sustainable
mechanism of certification. One last word about the possible improvement is about the editingaspect of the publication. There is a need for improvement of the total get up of the write up along with a general check for punctuation and syntax. This is a “must read” publication for all those involved in the management of, and cultivation of medicinal plants and for those involved in the trade and use of medicinal plants at the national as well as international levels.
Review by
G A Kinhal IFS,
FRLHT Bangalore

[somnath]

Dear MS.Annadanna;
I have sent an e-mail to you at your personal e-mail.Pls. view it and shall appreciate your response
Regards
Somnath