possible
ban on wood
for
bows
possible
ban on wood
for
bows
Frits Schutte, head of collections at the Musical Instrument Fund, is closely monitoring the potential ban on the trade in pernambuco wood and the serious consequences this could have for string players and instrument makers.
News
23 April 2025
by Indy de Vries
An endangered tree species
Since 2022, the Musical Instrument Fund has been closely monitoring the potential ban on the trade in pernambuco. Many bows are made from this tropical wood, which comes from the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. A proposal to ban the trade in pernambuco wood is currently under consideration. The goal is to protect this endangered tree species. For musicians, this would mean it would become much more difficult to travel with a bow.
Listen to the podcastThe Musical Instrument Fund is, of course, strongly opposed to the illegal exploitation of flora and fauna and therefore supports initiatives to protect endangered species, but it is in favor of facilitating legal ownership, trade, and travel. The fund is therefore opposed to a total ban on the trade in pernambuco wood, as this would threaten a centuries-old craft, cultural heritage, and musical performance in general.