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AHPA releases educational materials in Chinese for prevention of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination

March 2022: New educational materials provide a brief overview of the topic of PA containing weeds that are common in many agricultural areas

AHPA has published Chinese versions of educational resources that finished product marketers and botanical ingredient companies can provide to their supply chains to help educate farm managers and workers about best practices for avoidance of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) contamination.

AHPA Releases New Brochures Highlighting Sustainability and Good Harvesting Practices

September 2021: Good Stewardship Harvesting Practices

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the national trade association and voice of the herbal industry, today issued two new brochures covering sustainable harvest and good stewardship best practices for oshá (Ligusticum porteri) and Serenoa repens).

AHPA publishes educational materials for prevention of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination

August 2021: Educational Tools can be downloaded from AHPA Website

In addition to the recent update to the AHPA guidance on Good agricultural and collection practices and good manufacturing practices for botanical materials (AHPA GACP-GMP) addressing prevention of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) contamination, AHPA has developed educational resources that finished product marketers and botanical ingredient companies can provide to their supply chains to help educate farm managers and workers about best practices for avoidance of PA contamination.

VA Senators secure $590,000 to expand forest farming in Appalachia

Virginia Tech project to expand the impact of the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC)

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced almost $600,000 in federal funding for a Virginia Tech project to expand the impact of the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC) by increasing membership and improving opportunities and capabilities among forest farmers.

AHPA continues EPA advocacy to expand crop groups to cover more botanical commodities

November 2019: EPA proposes two new crop groups to cover herbs and spices

In comments submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week, AHPA continued to encourage the agency to expand its use of its crop grouping regulations by including more botanical commodities in two proposed new crop groups to help ensure that all of the minor crop botanical commodities marketed in the U.S. are covered by federal regulations.

Ginseng program at 2020 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

June 24-28 and July 1-5, 2020 -- Washington, DC

The AHPA Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals (AHPA ERB Foundation) has committed to provide financial support for the American ginseng program to be presented as part of the 2020 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, an annual 10-day event that takes place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Foundation is seeking matching funds from AHPA members to increase the Foundation’s support of this program.

U.S. increases and proposes expansion of tariffs on Chinese imports

May 2019: China announces additional tariffs on any plant mainly used as a spice

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced on May 9 that it increased tariffs on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese imports initially identified in September 2018 from 10 percent to 25 percent.

AHPA ERB Foundation issues RFP for goldenseal sustainable harvest study

Proposal submission deadline is July 1, 2019

The AHPA Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals (ERB Foundation) issued a request for proposals (RFP) to award grant funding to eligible applicants in order to enhance and promote knowledge and understanding of sustainable harvest of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).

AHPA launches sustainability subcommittee, formalizing ongoing efforts

Subcommittee to further AHPA’s ongoing efforts to ensure sustainable supplies of valuable botanicals

AHPA's Botanical Raw Materials Committee has launched a Sustainability Subcommittee to further AHPA’s ongoing efforts to ensure sustainable supplies of valuable botanicals. The subcommittee will be a vehicle for increasing awareness of sustainability issues and best practices, provide a forum to discuss and develop industry-wide standards, and promote existing sustainability initiatives throughout the industry.

FWS issues general advice for 2018 wild and wild-simulated American ginseng harvest

Legal harvest of wild ginseng roots will not be detrimental to the survival of the species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued general advice on Sept. 26 for wild and wild-simulated American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) for the 2018 harvest season in 19 states and the Menominee Indian Tribe in Wisconsin.

Botanical Raw Materials Committee