We wanted to let you know that the MIA has joined a coalition effort to clearly tell CITES:
“We support protecting endangered species, but please make the rules workable for musicians and instrument makers – simplify travel permits, recognise legal materials, and support sustainable, traceable sources.”
What’s been happening?
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates international trade in species that are endangered or could become endangered – including certain woods (like pernambuco, used in violin bows), ivory, shell, and other materials sometimes found in musical instruments.
At the next major CITES meeting (CoP20), there will be discussions and decisions about how these rules apply to musical instruments and the materials they’re made from.
This is why it matters to the MIA and our members.
How are we contributing?
The MIA has endorsed three information documents being submitted to CITES CoP20.
These documents aim to ensure that:
- Musicians and instrument makers can continue their work legally and sustainably.
- Conservation goals are met without making life impossible for musicians who travel or for makers who use legal, sustainable materials.
What’s in the documents?
Here are some key points from the three submissions:
1. Sustainable use of pernambuco wood
Pernambuco is a vital wood for making violin, viola, cello, and bass bows.
It’s endangered, but the proposal supports:
- Legal, traceable plantations and registered wood stockpiles.
- Systems to track where wood comes from.
- Recognising instrument and bow makers as conservation partners rather than treating them like illegal traders.
2. Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC)
When instruments contain protected materials, musicians need special CITES permits to travel internationally.
Right now, that process is expensive, slow, inconsistent, and confusing, with rules differing by country.
The document asks CITES to simplify and modernise this process by:
- Allowing electronic permits instead of physical stamps at airports.
- Recognising a single “Musical Instrument Certificate” for multiple trips.
- Making it easier for orchestras and ensembles travelling with many instruments.
3. Simplified rules for non-commercial travel
- These proposals only concern non-commercial travel (musicians performing, not selling instruments).
- The goal is to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy while maintaining protections for endangered species.
- They also call for harmonised rules across countries, so musicians aren’t stopped or fined unfairly.
Who else is involved?
There’s an ever-growing list of organisations that have endorsed and contributed to this work, including:
• American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
• American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers
• Association of British Orchestras
• C.F. Martin & Co., Inc.
• Confederation of European Music Industries (CAFIM)
• French Musical Instrument Organization (CSFI)
• International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species
• International Association of Violin and Bow Makers (EILA)
• International Federation of Musicians
• International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative USA
• International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative Germany (IPCI Germany)
• League of American Orchestras
• Madinter Trade SLU
• Music Industries Association (MIA)
• Musicians’ Union (MU)
• National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
• Pearle* – Live Performance Europe
• Performing Arts Managers and Agents Coalition (PAMAC)
Why does this matter?
This joint effort sends a strong, united message to CITES: that the international music community supports both conservation and creativity – protecting endangered species while enabling musicians and makers to continue their craft responsibly and sustainably.
