Wild collection of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) for commercial purposes in Poland - a system’s analysis

Summary Introduction: Poland is one of the main exporters of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in Europe. A substantial part of this plant material is collected in the wild. So far, the system of wild collection (WC) of medicinal plants in Poland, its social and ecological aspects have not been studied comprehensively. Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the organisation of WC system in Poland, including legislation, situation of protected species, and socio-ecological dimensions of the MAPs’ supply chains. Methods: Data from environmental agencies (RDOŚ) about protected MAPs was analysed. Stakeholders engaged in WC were interviewed. National legislation on WC was reviewed. Results: Although Poland is the second largest exporter of MAPs in Europe, legislation on wild collection in the country is sparse and incoherent. Monitoring does not apply to WC entirely. The structure of WC has a large degree of informality, lacks transparency, and does not take many sustainability criteria into account. Conclusions: The system needs major adjustments: a) to insure sustainability of WC, b) to accommodate market demands, including plant material quality.