The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, in co-operation with Isle of Man Customs and Excise and the Police, have recently seized quantities of Hoodia products imported illegally into the Isle of Man.

Hoodia species are listed under the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) and as such there are restrictions in the trade of Hoodia plants and Hoodia products.

Anyone buying Hoodia is reminded of the CITES-linked controls under the Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act 1981, provided to monitor and control the trade, protecting the plant against overexploitation.

The trade is also controlled to benefit the San people of Southern Africa and to protect the San rights to intellectual property.  The San provided the traditional knowledge that sparked the interest.

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant that grows in arid areas of southern Africa.  It is said to have appetite-suppressing qualities, and is therefore receiving increasing interest in the diet industry.

Anyone bringing Hoodia into the Isle of Man must have an import licence.  This includes bringing the product from the UK to the Isle of Man.

Both shop-keepers and the public buying on the internet or bringing it over personally, should apply to the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry for an import licence.

If it is sourced from the UK, then a United Kingdom re-export permit will also be required, which can be obtained from the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.