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Legislation to control export of Cinnamon as 'Ornamental Plants'

by Florence Wickramage

The Environment and Natural Resources Ministry is initiating action to restrict the export of Cinnamon Plants and planting material of other important species and genetic wealth with the recommendations of the National Experts' Committee on Bio-diversity until necessary legislation is formulated, the Ministry's Additional Secretary Sunil Sarath Perera told the 'Daily News' yesterday.

Commercially important crops, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves etc contribute significantly to the gene pool of our native plants. Cinnamon has for several millennia been an important export crop from Sri Lanka accounting for over Rs. 3.8 billion (2001) in annual export revenue. This forms approximately 65% of the value of all spice exports. About 10,000 metric tonnes of cinnamon bark are exported annually. Cinnamon cultivation is a mode of rural employment in the South West of Sri Lanka.

The formulation of restrictive legislation against the export of Cinnamon etc. is the result of information received by the Sri Lanka Customs that the export of Cinnamon plants and planting material being exported as "ornamental plants" is on the rise. They point out that this situation is detrimental to the local cinnamon industry. Perera said that true Cinnamon, in the natural state (Cinnamomum verum) is native to Sri Lanka and due to its unique value deserves protection. In addition to Cinnamomum verum, seven other species of Cinnamomum occur in Sri Lanka, all of them endemic to the island. These species could prove valuable in the future for genetic manipulation and therefore needs to be protected.

At present there is no law to control the export of planting material of agricultural crops. For Cinnamomum genus only, three wild species i.e. C.capparu-coronde, C.citriiodorum and C.litseaefolium are protected by the Fauna and Flora Protection (Amendment) Act. No. 49 of 1993. Due to this reason export of planting material such as Cinnamomum verum and other endemic species could not be controlled, Perera said.

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