Policy and Regulations

Any nations strategy for medicinal plant development needs to consider both current and potential policies and regulations. Among points each nation needs address are:

· Is the use of medicinal plants encouraged in healthcare programs?
· Are there policies for conserving medicinal plants and incentives to encourage local community participation?
· Is there a policy for restoring plants harvested in the wild?
· Are there incentives for collectors and farmers to keep the production of medicinal plants sustainable?
· Does the government support research into these plants?
· What are the policies regarding the export of medicinal plants?
· Are only raw materials exported?
· Is "in-country" processing (which may further help the trade in medicinal plants being promoted.