Ivory Regs Impact Concert Biz

Under the new rules, vintage guitars that may include small amounts of ivory from African elephants can’t be shipped without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Tennessean reported.

And to secure a permit the owner must prove the ivory came into the country through a federally approved port, which can apparently be nearly impossible to verify in some cases.

Craig Hoover, who serves as chief of wildlife trade and conservation at the FWS, told the paper elephant poaching and illegal ivory trading have ramped up in recent years and “there is ample evidence that there is a significant U.S. role in the illegal ivory trade as well. So we’re trying to address our role in that problem.”

While the FWS previously required artists who travel with ivory instruments to secure permits, the increased regulations are creating concern for musicians who often play overseas.

Nashville Symphony CEO Alan Valantine told the Tennessean the issue is a hot topic for members of the symphony as well as musicians who play at the city’s Schermerhorn Center.

“We certainly care about the issue this ban is meant to address — the senseless slaughter of African elephants for the harvesting of ivory,” Valantine said. “But we would hope the federal government would modify the language of the ban by working with the music community to develop new language that would support the goals of protecting endangered species while simultaneously protecting international cultural activity.”

U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville has suggested one potential solution to the issue, the paper noted.

“What’s fair? Most Nashville musicians own instruments with now or soon-to-be-forbidden parts. Some own many. Do these become contraband?” he said. “The best solution is to allow these antiques to be used, not destroyed or devalued, and to prevent new instruments from harming the environment. That way we protect what people have purchased innocently, and protect today’s endangered species.”