September 5th, 2019
On August 28th, 2019, the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meeting in Geneva for the CoP18, adopted four resolutions that represent positive answers to longstanding requests of the music sector.
Consensus was reached on the need to initiate a critical effort to streamline and simplify permit requirements for “the international movement of CITES specimens where the trade will have a negligible impact on the conservation of the species concerned”, which can include the non-commercial cross-border movement of musical instruments.
Concrete improvements for the music sector resulting from CITES CoP18 also relate to the use of rosewood in musical instruments, their parts and accessories as well as cross-border traveling with these instruments, thanks to permit exemptions.
Orchestras, ensembles, music bands and individual musicians are impacted by CITES rules: when travelling internationally with instruments that contain parts of protected species – such as rosewood, lizard, tortoise shell or elephant ivory –, a musical instrument certificate is required for international cross-border activities. The making, buying and selling of musical instruments is also affected by CITES requirements.
Pearle* - Live Performance Europe and FIM, the International Federation of Musicians, express their thanks to all partners of the music coalition who attended CITES negotiations in Geneva on behalf of the music sector, in particular the League of American Orchestras, the French Musical Instrument Organization (CSFI) and the International Association of Violin and Bow Makers (EILA).
Find the full press release in the Resource Centre
