SC78 - 78th session of the Standing Committee 2025

The 78th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee was held in Geneva, from Monday February 3 to Saturday February 8, 2025.

IPCI France-Europe,CSFI and CAFIM were represented at SC78 by:

- CSFI: Jacques Carbonneaux and Fanny Reyre-Ménard

- CAFIM: Michael Jousserand

- IPCI France-Europe: Arthur Dubroca and Edwin Clément

From left to right: Michael Jousserand (CAFIM representative), Jacques Carbonneaux (CSFI regulatory officer), Arthur Dubroca (President of IPCI France-Europe), Fanny Reyre-Ménard (President of CSFI), Thomas Gerbeth (President of IPCI Germany), John Bennett (IPCI USA/Alliance), Heather Noonan (League of American Orchestras), Daniel Piotto (botanist, forester, Brazil), Edwin Clément (Secretary General of IPCI France-Europe)

Pernambuco was on the agenda under item 73: Brazilian wood (Paubrasilia echinata)

Points discussed at SC78 in brief:

- Traceability report:

A report by Sofia Rumiko Hirakuri (consultant for the CITES Secretariat) was presented. It assesses the feasibility of a traceability system for pernambuco bows.

The report underlines the importance of a harmonized system to ensure legal and sustainable trade, while supporting the conservation of the species.

- Brazil's position:

Brazil expressed reservations about the report, in particular challenging the assertion that plantation timber stocks are sufficient to meet market demand.

Brazil also highlighted the lack of technical evidence on the quality of plantation wood, and pointed to problems of fraud (illegal wood laundering).

The country urged bow-makers to find sustainable alternatives to pernambuco, and called for the deletion of some of the report's recommendations.

- Intervention from the music sector:

John Bennett (IPCI USA/Alliance) spoke on behalf of all the music industry representatives present, defending the industry's efforts to promote sustainable trade in pernambuco. He stressed that existing plantations could reduce pressure on wild populations and ensure the sustainability of bow making. He also stressed the importance of recognizing commercial plantations and working with Brazil to establish a reliable traceability system.

- Conclusion :

Tense relations with Brazil brazil's position remains firm, but efforts are underway to convince the Brazilian authorities of the economic, environmental and cultural importance of sustainable pernambuco production.

Daniel Piotto's key role daniel Piotto: Brazilian botanist and forester, Daniel Piotto plays an important role in mediating between the music industry and the Brazilian authorities.

The issue of pernambuco remains critical for the future of bow making, and the decisions taken at CoP20 (November 2025) will be decisive for bow makers and musicians alike.

- Download the detailed report on all points concerning musical instruments (members only).

SC78 official documents concerning pernambuco and an information note from our sector

SC78 Doc 73 - BRAZIL WOOD (PAUBRASILIA ECHINATA) - Version FR - EN Version

Paubrasilia echinata bows: Fine tuning traceability solutions - EN Version only

Recommendations and additional draft decisions on Brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata) - Version FR - EN Version

Brazilian wood (Paubrasilia echinata) (proposed by the United States of America) - Version FR- EN Version

Information note CSFI and IPCI France-Europe - Version FR- EN Version