08/22/2025
ALERT!!!!
THE ARTICLE BELOW WAS SENT TO THE LUTHIER SHOP FROM THE PERNAMBUCO ALLIANCE ABOUT AN IMPENDING CHANGE CONCERNING THE LEGALITY OF PERNAMBUCO WORLDWIDE. BRAZIL IS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE CURRENT STATUS OF PERNAMBUCO TO BEING COMPLETELY ILLEGAL FOR ALL CITES MEMBER NATIONS. IF THIS IS PASSED BY THE CITES CONVENTION IN NOVEMBER 2025, THEN STRING INSTRUMENT MUSCIANS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO CITES MEMBER NATIONS WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION PROVING THAT THEIR BOWS ARE CERTIFIED AS LEGAL ACCORDING TO CITES. MOST ANTIQUE BOWS AS WELL AS MODERN BOWS CANNOT BE CERTIFIED PROVING THAT THEY ARE NOT ILLEGAL ACCORDING TO THE PENDING STATUS CHANGE. STRING INSTRUMENT MUSCIANS, COLLECTORS, QUARTETS, ORCHESTRAS, LUTHIERS, BOWMAKERS... ANYONE WITH UNCERTIFIED PERNAMBUCO BOWS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL WITH THEIR BOWS OUTSIDE OF THEIR COUNTRIES WITHOUT FEAR OF HAVING THEIR BOWS CONFISCATED BY CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES IN CITES MEMBER NATIONS . IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SALE OR RESALE OF ANY PERNAMBUCO BOWS COULD BE PROHIBITED IN THE SAME MANNER AS ELEPHANT IVORY. PLEASE CONTACT THE UNITIED STATES FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT AND SUBMIT YOUR OPINION IN FAVOR OF NO CHANGE TO THE CURRENT STATUS OF PERNAMBUCO BY CITES:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/18/2025-15664/conference-of-the-parties-to-the-convention-on-international-trade-in-endangered-species-of-wild
HERE IS THE ARTICLE:
What is the future of musicians’ travel with Pernambuco bows?
On June 27, Brazil proposed moving Pernambuco from its present CITES Appendix II listing to Appendix I. To be clear, conservation is the top priority. However, shops, makers, musicians, and traveling orchestras must be aware that this change in classification (to be decided in November) would unnecessarily harm musicians' ability to travel internationally. CITES permits—impossible for most musicians to acquire and use—would be required for all pernambuco bows, both new and old. The impact this would have on the music world and CITES management authorities would be paralyzing.
A better way to protect pernambuco is to strengthen the present Appendix II listing, as this would:
Provide tighter controls to protect precious wild populations,
Initiate actions to verify the legality of bow wood,
Enable increased planting for future sustainable use,
Support the cultural and economic needs of the music industry worldwide, and
Find a balanced approach to protect trees while preserving musical traditions.
Please speak up now to defend our musical future.
There is an opportunity only until September 17 for U.S.-only stakeholders to voice your opinions to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; please submit your public comment here in favor of expanding conservation as well as future sustainable use of pernambuco for all those whose livelihoods depend on this precious tree.
Below is sample text that you can personalize to express your opinion regarding the question, What position should the U.S. take?
“I am a [musician, shop owner], who supports strengthening an Appendix II listing on Paubrasilia-echinata, allowing for expanded conservation efforts and heightened protections while avoiding the significant impact an Appendix I listing would have on the music industry and management authorities faced with the documentation of over 250 years of bows, new and old.”
Please join us in speaking—together, we have a bigger voice!
Alliance Board
More information? alliance-international.org | Questions? [email protected]
