The MU is working to provide clear information about the potential impacts of an Appendix I listing, as CITES Parties consider next steps. Photo: Shutterstock.
In June 2025, Brazilian authorities submitted a proposal to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to move pernambuco (pau-brasil) from Appendix II to Appendix I.
If adopted at the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties in Samarkand, Uzbekistan this November, it would amount to a near-total ban on international trade in this critically important wood - the material of choice for crafting professional-quality bows for string instruments.
Such a move would have devastating consequences for musicians, bow makers, orchestras, and ensembles around the world. The proposed change would:
- Prohibit cross-border sales of bows made from pernambuco wood, even historical ones.
- Impose burdensome travel and certification requirements on musicians performing internationally.
- Endanger the craft of bow making both in Brazil and globally, including here in the UK, threatening jobs, cultural heritage, and artistic excellence.
Sustainable solutions under current Appendix II
While pau-brasil is an endangered species, much work is already underway to ensure its protection without banning its use entirely.
According to a paper tabled by the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative (IPCI), the current Appendix II listing offers a viable framework for:
- Protecting wild populations from illegal exploitation
- Allowing sustainable trade from regulated plantations, and preserving the centuries-old tradition of string playing and bow making.
The IPCI highlights recent conservation efforts (such as the creation of Brazil’s first pau-brasil seed bank) and ongoing agroforestry projects, where pernambuco is planted alongside crops like cacao. These initiatives are only possible under the flexibility provided by the current Appendix II classification.
What you can do
The MU is working alongside the Association of British Orchestras, League of American Orchestras, International Federation of Musicians, American Federation of Musicians, Independent Society of Musicians, and many others to raise awareness and protect musicians’ interests, by providing clear information about the potential impacts of an Appendix I listing, as CITES Parties consider next steps.
You can help us take action by:
- Writing to your MP: Use our template letter to urge the UK government to oppose the Appendix I uplisting and instead support sustainable conservation solutions under Appendix II.
- Sharing IPCI’s new flyer: The flyer includes a QR code linking to further information and a survey for bow makers. If you know a bow maker, please share it with them.