Musical instrument manufacturers generally do not ask detailed questions about the conditions under which the wood they buy has been harvested, processed and transported.
In the absence of any legislation forcing such thinking, voluntary ethics have been conspicuous by their absence.
The Lacey Act, quite simply, is a game changer.
Now US manufacturers that operate opaque, third-party brokered supply chains risk seeing armed Federal agents seizing wood from their manufacturing plants. (more…)
Irish flute manufacturer, Martin Doyle, has produced the world’s first flute made from African Blackwood sourced from a Forest Stewardship Council-certified supplier.
Martin Doyle has been a prominent supporter of the sustainable use of African Blackwood for a number of years. This has included the production of radio documentaries exploring the use and conservation of African Blackwood.
By John Kabubu, WWF Coastal East Africa Communications
The sound of a saw cutting deep into the kiaat tree (Pterocarpus angolensis, also called “bloodwood”) in a forest in Kisangi village fills the air. Sweat drips from the body of 56-year-old Rafii Hashim as he pushes the saw rhythmically back and forth to ensure a smooth cut. The birds are chirping, the forest air is clean and the lungs present are only too happy not to be breathing in the heavy and polluted city air. As the saw cuts through the tree, it bleeds a deep red color. It’s not unusual for the kiaat tree to release red colored sap from its trunk when cut.
The harvesting of trees in Kisangi village goes on in an orderly manner and without fear. This is because all activities being undertaken are legal and sanctioned by both government and the community. FSC certification is slowly taking root in some villages around Kilwa and Lindi districts in southern Tanzania.
Comic Relief recently announced that they would provide continuation funding for the Sound & Fair campaign for a period of one year.
Comic Relief’s support has been fundamental to the success of the campaign to date which in the past few months has seen major musical instrument manufacturers, including Martin Guitars, place orders for FSC-certified African blackwood.
The continuation funding enables Sound & Fair to build on these exciting developments with the aims of engaging with new manufacturing partners, bringing a range of FSC-certified instruments to market and ultimately delivering increased benefits to Tanzanian forest communities.
The UK Government will come under renewed pressure this week to introduce legislation to ban the import, sale and distribution of illegally logged timber products.
A Private Member’s Bill proposed by Brighton Pavilion MP, Caroline Lucas, comes up for its second reading in Parliament on Friday 10th June 2011.
The Illegally Logged Timber Bill (Prohibition of Import, Sale or Distribution) would make it a criminal offence for a person or company to trade in illegally logged timber and timber products. (more…)
Sound & Fair has been on the road in May 2011, touring UK music colleges and facilitating workshops with woodwind students and lecturers.
Over 600 woodwind students were briefed on the Sound & Fair campaign, the need for sustainable practises by instrument manufacturers and the benefits for forest communities in Tanzania.
The Sound & Fair campaign was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) at the Sound & Fair Concert in Cambridge on Saturday 28th May 2011.
A unique range of jewellery was modelled at the Sound & Fair Concert in Cambridge on Saturday 28th May 2011. (more…)
The Sound & Fair Concert featuring Nicholas Daniel, The Haffner Reed Trio and Kathryn Stott – piano, took place in Cambridge on Saturday 28th May 2011.
The concert was directed by Sound & Fair Patron, Nicholas Daniel, who performed various pieces including Poulenc Sonate, Milhaud Suite D’apres Corrette and Schumann Fantasiestucke op 73.
