In the August 15 Strad (U.K.), Christian Lloyd writes, “Brazil has again launched a proposal for a worldwide ban on the pernambuco trade. The next meeting of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) begins in November, when it will be decided whether the buying, selling and even repair of instrument bows could be potentially outlawed…. Under Appendix I, the buying and selling of pernambuco bows, with just a very few exceptions, could be banned outright…. The International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative (IPCI) was formed by a group of bow makers in 2001 and … has been working with scientists, environmental organizations, small-scale cacao farmers, and local Brazilian communities to conserve and regrow pernambuco…. The [Appendix I] proposal is born out of the Brazilian government’s own efforts to control the pervasive … illegal trade in pernambuco…. IPCI and the International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species argue that adapting and strengthening the current Appendix II listing should be sufficient … Music stakeholders are encouraging CITES parties to pursue those strategies fully, rather than resort to an Appendix I listing.”
Visit the League of American Orchestras’ Pernambuco Exemption and Conservation site to stay up to date with the latest developments, resources, links, and regulations.
