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Cites Perambuco Wood Update
Brazilian-grown wood added to the protected species list.
During the Conference of the Parties in The Netherlands, pernambuco, the Brazilian-grown wood used extensively in making of bows for stringed instruments, was added to the protected species list on the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The listing includes only “logs, swan wood and veneer sheets, including unfinished wood articles used for the fabrication of bows for stringed musical instruments,” but makes clear that finished instrument bows are NOT included on the list.
NAMM worked extensively with other organizations—including the American Symphony Orchestra League, American Federation of Musicians, International Wood Products Association and bowmakers representing the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative—to assure that finished bows were not included in any CITES listing. NAMM’s work also included presenting testimony to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) Service and encouraging NAMM Members and others to contact the FWS and similar organizations in other countries. The NAMM Web site’s Advocacy Alert portal prompted nearly 40 Members to get in touch with Fish and Wildlife and share their opinions regarding the issue.
Specifically, pernambuco has been added to CITES Appendix II, which requires an export permit to accompany any unfinished wood leaving Brazil or being re-exported from other countries. Because finished bows are not included on the list of pernambuco products requiring an export permit to leave Brazil or be re-exported from other countries, no such export permits will be needed to export bows from any of the more than 160 countries subscribing to CITES.
The next Conference will be held in 2009 or 2010 and NAMM will continue to monitor developments with regard to pernambuco and other woods used in musical instrument manufacture.
The listing includes only “logs, swan wood and veneer sheets, including unfinished wood articles used for the fabrication of bows for stringed musical instruments,” but makes clear that finished instrument bows are NOT included on the list.
NAMM worked extensively with other organizations—including the American Symphony Orchestra League, American Federation of Musicians, International Wood Products Association and bowmakers representing the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative—to assure that finished bows were not included in any CITES listing. NAMM’s work also included presenting testimony to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) Service and encouraging NAMM Members and others to contact the FWS and similar organizations in other countries. The NAMM Web site’s Advocacy Alert portal prompted nearly 40 Members to get in touch with Fish and Wildlife and share their opinions regarding the issue.
Specifically, pernambuco has been added to CITES Appendix II, which requires an export permit to accompany any unfinished wood leaving Brazil or being re-exported from other countries. Because finished bows are not included on the list of pernambuco products requiring an export permit to leave Brazil or be re-exported from other countries, no such export permits will be needed to export bows from any of the more than 160 countries subscribing to CITES.
The next Conference will be held in 2009 or 2010 and NAMM will continue to monitor developments with regard to pernambuco and other woods used in musical instrument manufacture.