After receiving input from public and private landowners, conservation interests, and other interested parties, the Endangered Plant Advisory Council unanimously recommended adding saw palmetto to the Department’s commercially exploited plant list. The recommendation was adopted by Department rule which results in new requirements for the harvesting of saw palmetto berries. These new requirements, outlined below, took effect July 17, 2018.
What are the new requirements for a landowner harvesting palmetto berries for sale from their property?
• If the landowner is harvesting saw palmetto berries for sale, a Native Plant Harvesting Permit (no fee required) must be obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. The permit application must be submitted fourteen (14) days prior to the intended date of harvest.
What are the new requirements for a contract harvester of palmetto berries on public or private land?
• The contract harvester must possess written permission from the landowner or the legal representative prior to harvest.
• The contract harvester must also possess a Native Plant Harvesting Permit from the Department prior to harvest. The permit application must be submitted fourteen (14) days prior to the intended date of harvest.
What are the new requirements for any person transporting for sale, selling, or offering for sale saw palmetto berries?
• A person transporting for sale, selling, or offering for sale saw palmetto berries, which is harvested from the person’s own property, must possess a Native Plant Harvesting Permit from the Department. The permit application must be submitted fourteen (14) days prior to the intended date of harvest.
What enforcement action can be taken if these requirements are not followed?
• If found by law enforcement officials to not meet the requirements above, the harvester or person transporting for sale, selling, or offering for sale saw palmetto berries may be charged with a misdemeanor.
For more information on obtaining a permit and to download permit application go to
https://www.freshfromflorida.
• Illegally harvested berries will be confiscated and returned to the owner. If the owner cannot be located, the berries will be destroyed.
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