CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. -- Authorities are reminding citizens seeking to harvest saw palmetto berries that the State of Florida requires that a crew leader needs to apply for a permit first.
The permit has been a requirement from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services since last July, but there have been some changes since then.
Some of the changes to the permit requirements from last year:
- When applying for the permit, the property owner information and contact number will need to be submitted with the application on the second page.
- When led by a crew leader as a day worker, the picker does not need a permit but the crew leader does. The names of the day workers do not need to be on the permit.
- There still is no fee for the permit. It takes up to 14 days for processing and issuance of the permit.
- Berries cannot be harvested until the permit is in the possession of the harvester.
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Saw palmetto extract is used in dietary supplements to treat male prostate problems and other conditions.
A link to the permit application can be found HERE.
More information can be found HERE.
