Lacey Act and CITES

Is it legal?

Lately I have been reading a lot about the Lacey Act and CITES and what affect it is having on the guitar making and wood working industry. As a carpenter, life long wood worker, novice musician and luthier, I am concerned about the right to possess, purchase, or trade the basic material and instruments used in our trades to make a living and pursue our life's work.

I was introduced to CITES a few years back when buying a few orchids and came across the book "Orchid Fever" written by Eric Hansen about the billion dollar orchid industry, and the sale and transportation of endangered plant species. Very interesting reading, I did not realize at the time that I would be introduced to it again while pursuing my career and artistic craft.

The materials used to build and decorate instruments with to entertain ourselves and our families for hundreds, maybe thousands of years has become the center of current national and international laws. Granted most of the wood and other products in the center of the controversy are exotic and not typically used in every day life, but how long will it be before more and more natural resources are depleted and become rare and valuable commodities added to the list of endangered and illegal items.

How do I know where it came from?

There is some good information in a document recently posted on the Guild of  American Luthier's web page regarding the Lacey Act and CITES, and an article in the latest issue of the GAL's quarterly journal. I support the Guild and thank them for all the work done on behalf of their members.

From the Fall 2011 issue of the American Luthierie Quarterly Journal article by R.E. Brune, transcribed from his 2011 GAL Convention lecture quoted: "converting a pre-CITES set of Brazilian Rosewood into a new guitar is a violation of federal law", and "it is illegal to repair or restore old or antique pre-CITES objects such as musical instruments".

Here is the link to the GAL web site Chuck Erikson article regarding the  Lacey ACT and CITES:
http://www.luth.org/cites.htm

I do not attempt to validate or disclaim these articles, only provide the information. I understand that these issues are complicated.There are many questions regarding the way these laws are written, regulated, and potentially enforced now and in the future. If we are in violation of the law by innocently pursuing our life's work and hobbies we must be informed in order to continue working without fear or the possibility of incrimination. If the laws need to be changed it is the responsibilty of those elected to look after our well being to make those changes on our behalf.

Can I fix this?

Thank you to the GAL for providing this information, and good luck to you in all your endeavors.

"Endure Fort"

Robert