PC28: Pernambuco at the Heart of the CITES Plants Committee’s Work

Representatives from the musical instrument industry and musicians once again gathered at the CICG in Geneva to attend the numerous plenary debates and in-session working groups and to ensure that the voice of music is heard.

For IPCI France-Europe, bow makers Niall Flemming and Gabriel Pasquier made their first appearance at a CITES committee meeting.

From left to right: Michael Jousserand - European Soundmakers, Jacques Carbonneaux - CSFI, Niall Flemming - IPCI France-Europe, Heather Noonan - League of American Orchestras, Gabriel Pasquier - IPCI France-Europe, Thomas Gerbeth - IPCI Germany, and John Bennett - Violin and Bow Makers. Not pictured: Scott Paul of Taylor Guitars

PC28: Paubrasilia echinata at the centre of CITES Plants Committee discussions

Paubrasilia echinata (pernambuco), was the subject of several discussions during the 28th meeting of the CITES Plants Committee (PC28). While no new regulatory requirements were adopted, the meeting confirmed CITES' commitment to strengthening scientific knowledge, traceability and management tools for the species.

Two technical studies endorsed

The working group on Paubrasilia echinata finalized the terms of reference for two studies under Decision 20.243:

- a traceability study covering bows, bow sticks and existing stocks of pernambuco;
- a study to develop standardized conversion factors to estimate how many bows can be produced from existing wood stocks.

These studies are intended to provide a common scientific basis for improving international trade monitoring and supporting CITES implementation. They do not create any new obligations for bow makers, manufacturers or musicians at this stage.

Source codes remain under discussion

The Committee also discussed the application of CITES source codes to plantation-grown Paubrasilia echinata. Several delegations supported establishing an intersessional working group to examine this issue further. However, the Plants Committee decided not to establish such a group and instead adopted the working group's recommendations while encouraging Parties and stakeholders to provide financial support for the planned studies.

Elevated priority within the CITES rosewood programme

As part of the CITES work on Rosewood tree species, the Plants Committee recommended moving Paubrasilia echinata from medium to high priority. This recommendation does not change the species' CITES listing or the rules governing international trade. Instead, it means that the Secretariat will give greater attention to data collection, trade monitoring, Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs) and the development of technical tools for the species.

A Brazilian project selected under the CITES Tree Species Programme

In parallel, Brazil has been selected for the second phase of the CITES Tree Species Programme (CTSP). The approved project aims to improve knowledge of the remaining natural populations of Paubrasilia echinata and to develop collaborative strategies supporting legal, sustainable and traceable trade, involving CITES authorities, scientists and relevant stakeholders.

A shared responsibility

Finally, PC28 reaffirmed that the conservation of Paubrasilia echinata is a shared responsibility. Decision 20.243 encourages governments, scientists, professional organizations, bow makers, musicians and other stakeholders to contribute to research, funding, conservation actions, habitat restoration and the development of solutions that will ensure the long-term future of this unique species.

Paubrasilia echinata: Expanded Scope of Work and Increased Funding Requirements

The conclusions of the in-session working group on Paubrasilia echinata highlighted a significant expansion of the scope of work proposed by Brazil. This broader approach entails a significant increase in the funding required, the amount of which has yet to be determined. This prospect poses an additional challenge for the music industry, which will need to contribute to this effort.

Other PC28 agenda items relevant to the musical instrument sector

In addition to the discussions on brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata), several other issues considered at the 28th meeting of the Plants Committee (PC28) are of interest to the musical instrument sector. These include Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs), the Review of Significant Trade (RST), CITES-listed timber species, wood identification tools, and the implementation of certain administrative procedures applicable to international trade. See the summary available on the CSFI website.