Wild Product Governance

Products from the wild are used as medicines, cosmetics, drinks, foods, decorations, and for a multitude of other purposes. These products are used for subsistence, are traded locally and regionally, and comprise an important and growing commercial sector world-wide. Known as non-timber forest products (NTFPs) they contribute substantially to rural livelihoods, generate revenue for companies and governments, and have a range of impacts on biodiversity conservation. Although there are many commonalities in experience with NTFP regulation around the world, there is little information available to harvesters, companies, policy makers, NGOs, and others seeking to develop effective policy frameworks, and the lessons learned in this field are often not easily accessed. This guide and manual addresses the shortage of technical information available on the drafting, content, and implementation of NTFP policies, and the broader issues of governance associated with these products. It also develops an analytical framework for understanding the diverse issues and elements that combine to create laws and policies that promote sustainable and equitable management, trade and use of species. The book presents 13 country or regionally-specific case studies that examine experiences with NTFP regulation, including its sometimes unintended consequences, the effect of different policy approaches, the influence of globalization and macro-economic factors, the interface of traditional and scientific knowledge, and the relationships between NTFP regulation, land tenure and resource rights, and power and equity imbalances. Geographic coverage includes Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, East and Central Europe, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Southern Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each chapter draws out lessons and recommendations that can be more broadly applied and an overview chapter synthesizes these and other experiences and provides a framework for the development of NTFP policy. A final section makes recommendations for various stakeholders. The volume also includes a review of available literature and resources and an annotated bibliography, including key articles, laws and other resources, linked to the People and Plants International website. Published with People and Plants International

Sarah A. Laird is the Co-Director of People and Plants International and its Policy and Trade Programme. Rebecca J. McLain is Co-Director of the Institute for Culture and Ecology, in Portland, Oregon, USA. Rachel P. Wynberg is a Senior Researcher, based at the Environmental Evaluation Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa.