How can I be sure that the trade in PhytoTrade Africa species is environmentally sustainable?
PhytoTrade Africa was set up by ecologists who were looking for ways to promote better environmental management of African plant species. Our theory was that one of the best ways to conserve African species is to give them economic value. That way, rural people have a strong incentive to look after them. So far, our experience has borne this out, and we can already show how some of our focal species have become more locally abundant as a result of peoples efforts to conserve and manage them. Were very careful about the species we work with, and we choose only those that are abundant and that can be sustainably produced. We focus almost exclusively on products that are made from fruits and nuts rather than from roots and bark. Harvesting the fruits and nuts of a tree doesnt kill it harvesting the roots and bark can do. At the same time, we commit our members to sustainable harvesting through signature to our Ethical BioTrade Charter (downloadable here). This Charter obliges members to i
