NPR story about CITES and Rosewood - NMC

[colorado_al]

Interesting read & listen
The Tree That Rocked The Music Industry
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/30/566927001/the-tree-that-rocked-the-music-industry

[peter.coombe]

A little misleading in that they do not mention that personal music instruments that contain rosewood that is not Brazilian Rosewood are exempt. So the cello with rosewood tuners would be ok so long as it was not Brazilian Rosewood. I agree that the regulations went too far by including Indian Rosewood. Indian Rosewood is not endangered, most is plantation grown and the logging is controlled by the Indian government. It is illegal to export Indian Rosewood logs or thick planks of rosewood from India so that takes it out of the furniture market. Including Indian Rosewood has caused a lot of grief in the music industry and must be causing a lot of grief in India as well. India was not included in the list of countries consulted for the draft CITES regulations. If they had been they probably would have objected, but as stated it was a political compromise and India and the music industry lost. Unfortunately the CITES listing is necessary, but whether it is likely to be effective in saving rosewoods species remains to be seen. I doubt it will make much difference because there is too much money and criminals involved in the Chinese trade.

[brunello97]

From the NPR article: "compared to the millions of cubic meters of rosewood flowing to China, the Martin company will use less than 50 cubic meters of the wood this year."

Looks like 50 cubic meters will fit in our living room.

Mick