Cop20 - 20th session of the Conference of the Parties 2025

July 1, 2025: Proposal to transfer Pernambuco to Appendix I of CITES: A Threat to Living Music and Instrument Making

On July 1, 2025, Brazil submitted a proposal to CITES to transfer the species Paubrasilia echinata (pernambuco) from Appendix II to Appendix I, the most restrictive of the Convention. If adopted, this proposal would ban all international trade in pernambuco, a wood essential for the manufacture of high-quality bows. International trade in new and antique bows would only be permitted subject to obtaining a permit, which would also be required for international restoration, maintenance or repair operations involving bows, as well as for the cross-border movement of musicians in possession of pernambuco bows.

Appendix I would have dramatic consequences for bow making, complicate the mobility of musicians across Europe, and impose an administrative burden on CITES authorities. Furthermore, this measure would penalize the reforestation and sustainable management efforts already implemented by professionals in the sector.

Pernambuco has already been protected by Brazilian legislation since 2006, but listing in Appendix I would not bring any tangible improvements for the conservation of the species.

The Appendix II regime with annotation #10, supplemented by the CoP19 decisions, is a balanced and effective solution: it combats illegal exploitation while protecting living music, know-how, and legal supply chains for pernambuco.

Below you will find the English version (original) of Brazil's proposal 46 available for download, along with a French translation, pending the official version which will be published shortly on the CITES website.

June 30, 2025 - Pernambuco and CoP20, where do we stand?

The news we were dreading has arrived: Brazil is asking CITES to move pernambuco from Appendix II to Appendix I at the next COP, which will be held in Samarkand from November 24 to December 5 of this year.

We will have the details of the Brazilian argument supporting this proposal within the next week. From then on, we will be able to fine-tune our communication campaign.

However, you can now share the information with your friends and family and on social media using this text and this flyer.

The stakes are dramatic for the future of bow makers, luthiers, and musicians alike.

The consequences of Appendix I would result in:

Ban of international trade in this species and permit requirement for international trade and travel involving finished bows, both new and old,
A threat to current conservation programs, including replanting efforts
New constraints for musicians: CITES permits required for travel, purchase, sale or repair of bows

The end of bow making as we know it

With your help IPCI has already helped replant over 340,000 pernambuco trees

What can you do to help further and enable our representatives to attend and advocate for us at the next COP ?

Stay informed
Raise awareness – share this text and the IPCI flyer
Consider joining or donating to IPCI France-Europe, IPCI Germany or IPCI U.S.A

Together, we can help conserve pernambuco, save string players, and protect bow makers.

Cop20 - 20th session of the Conference of the Parties 2025

The 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from Monday November 24 to Friday December 5, 2025. The list of proposed new registrations and amendments will be published at least 150 days before the Cop20 session, i.e. by Friday June 27, 2025 at the latest. See the parties' notification.

The musical instrument industry in France and Europe will be represented at these CITES events by the CSFI (Jacques Carbonneaux), the CAFIM (Michael Jousserand) and theIPCI France-Europe (Arthur Dubroca and Edwin Clément).

CITES Committees and Conference of the Parties calendar