CITES sets the date for lifting rosewood restrictions for musical instruments
After voting in favour of an exemption for rosewood in relation to musical instruments, CITES has set the date of 26 November for lifting the restrictions.
Since 2017, CITES restrictions had made transporting guitars containing rosewood internationally far more difficult, especially for smaller builders. CITES (the Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species Of Wild Fauna and Flora) originally instated the restrictions to protect rosewood, bubinga and kosso from overuse by the furniture industry – the effect on the world of musical instruments was not intended. Smaller guitar builders couldn’t take on the extra costs created, and some major manufacturers stopped using rosewood in low and mid-priced guitars.
Hence, in August of this year, a motion exempting musical instruments from these restrictions was passed. And now, with the date set for the exemption to go into effect, major manufacturers and small builders alike will be breathing a sigh of relief. As the Music Industries Association notes, however, it is still waiting on final confirmation that the EU is ready to implement the change. It says, “We will naturally let you all know straight away, but wanted to warn you NOT to stop all the paperwork and certificates quite yet…”
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
