| Good question. Unfortunately CITES is a joke and does not do what its' supposed charter dictates it should do. Its is more interested in chasing legitimate growers and scientists while allowing wild orchids to be destroyed by highways, cities, farms etc. There are many documented cases of collectors and scientists that have tried to save orchids in South America and been told you can't take the orchids but it was ok to bulldoze them to death. The other problem is that many of the " so called " plant inspectors couldn't tell a rare orchid from a pansy. As unbelieavable as this is,I suggest you read " Orchid Fever " by Eric Hansen. The book was written in 2000 and it will open your eyes. What makes it sad is that it hasn't gotten any better in eight. years. CITES is a great example of a good idea run by morons. |