Without sufficient controls on plant exports beyond the simplistic phytosanitary checks that often do not even identify the species exported, countries may be losing significant revenue, and at the same time may be allowing plant populations to decline. It would be worthwhile to investigate the systems that exist, if any, relating to export duties imposed upon medicinal plant exports. It is possible that countries are not charging the appropriate duties on exports because the true value of the export is not known to the authorities. There exists the opinion that Customs officers and wildlife rangers spend an unnecessary amount of time on a burdensome task in issuing import and export permits for small quantities of material, or for common species. Research Information on many species identified as being of medicinal value is lacking, particularly for plants.
Data are deficient on status, and extent and impact of utilisation.
Conduct surveys on the trade in animal medicinals in order to ascertain volumes traded and impact. Target taxa include sea turtle and pangolins. Investigate other impacts that are causing medicinally valuable species to become depleted, such as the effects of the timber trade in Zambia for example on Pterocarpus angolensis , and the effects of gum collection on species such as Boswellia papyrifera and Acacia senegal . Carry out a survey of reptiles, in particular on tortoises, which may be used in large quantities, but there is no information on species used, volumes traded, or the impact on the populations. Conduct a botanical review of the priority plant species to ascertain relevant aspects of distribution, taxonomic uniqueness and chemical interest around the world.