Box 1 Major peaks in the NTFP regulatory framework in Cameroon

1994: Adoption of the forestry law n° 94/01 of 20 January published in 1995 with multiple articles on operating conditions and the sale of special forest products

1995: Adoption of a new forestry code with a section on the inter-ministerial commission whose missions are to attribute and withdraw permits on the exploitation of special forest

1998: Articles 43–46 of decree N° 98/345 of December 21, 1998, on the organization of MINEF which creates the sub-department of non-timber forest products completing decree no. 97/205 of September 07, 1997, on the organization of the government

2002: Decision N°1739/A/MINEF/SG/DPT/SDNL/SSS of 8 may 2002 on the creation of a National Syndicate on NTFPS in Cameroon

2005: National strategy for forest and wildlife control in Cameroon a document which set diverse measures of control in the forest area and the wildlife zone;

2005: A manual on the exploitation and marketing of non-wood forest products in Cameroon developed by SNV—what was commonly used by the sub-department of Non-Timber Forest Products

2005: Decentralization of the sub departments of NTFPs by creating regional services in charge of the promotion and processing of NTFPs

2006: Circular n° 0131/LC/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDAFF/SN of March 20, 2006, relative to the procedures of attributing and follow-up of small forest exploitation permits

2008: Sub-regional guideline on NTFPs of plant origin in Central Africa by FAO, GTZ and COMIFAC

2009: Appointment of a committee for the amendment of the forestry law which is currently ongoing

Since 2010: Appropriation of NTFPs activities especially edible plants by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Cameroon. Creation of many domestication programs and development platforms for WEPs especially Gnetum spp.