New Saw Palmetto Berry requirements 2018
NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR HARVESTING, SELLING, POSSESSING OR OFFERING SALE OF SAW PALMETTO BERRIES IN PLACE. IF YOU TAKE PART IN SAW PALMETTO HARVESTING OR SALE, PLEASE MAKE YOURSELF FAMILIAR WITH THE NEW LAWS
Following input from public and private landowners the Florida Endangered Plant Advisory Council added saw palmetto to the Department’s commercially exploited plant list. The action is followed by new legal requirements for the harvesting, selling, transporting and possessing of saw palmetto berries.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
If you pick, harvest, sell, transport or possess saw palmetto berries, you are required to have a Plant Harvesting Permit issued by the Department of Agriculture. The permit must be obtained at least 14-days prior to the harvest date. The permit is required for landowners who harvest and sell their own palmetto berries,
This also goes for those hired to pick and/or sell the berries.
A contractor who harvests, transports, possesses and sells berries, must also possess written permission from the landowner or legal representative prior to harvest. This is in addition to having a Native Plant Harvesting Permit. The permission letter must be with you at the time. This is if you are engaging in the harvesting, transport, selling or possession of the berries.
ENFORCEMENT
A person who is harvesting, selling, transporting or possessing palmetto saw berries and does not meet the new requirements, could face misdemeanor charges. Illegally harvested berries will be confiscated and returned to the owner. If an owner is cannot be located the berries will be destroyed. Please refer to the Department of Agriculture website for permit application information.
