Brussels, 8 February 2022

Pearle* – Live Performance Europe and the International Federation of Musicians (FIM) are pleased to announce the launch of their joint website Crossing Borders: Travelling with musical instruments. The site includes profiled questions to help musicians, as well as music ensembles, prepare their touring activities with musical instruments containing CITES-protected species.

The objective is to help users determine whether a CITES Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC) is required when crossing international borders with their musical instruments for non-commercial purposes, such as concerts and other live performance events, competitions, teaching and recording. Musicians, orchestras and other music groups can also identify steps to be taken before their departure.

The use of the targeted online questionnaire is free of charge and facilitates the preparation of international touring activities2. Whether a MIC (or a TEC for music groups or orchestras) is needed or not depends on three criteria: the presence of protected species in the instrument, the travel destination and the purpose of travel.

The website is available in English and French; other languages such as German will follow shortly.

Besides the questionnaire, the site also includes our joint publication Crossing borders which has been recently updated. It gives a practical overview of CITES rules and provides guidance to orchestras, music groups and musicians travelling with instruments containing protected species.

John Smith, FIM President, said “We wanted this tool to be interactive, simple and easily accessible: it is now fully operational and we are proud to open it to the public. All musicians should use it before touring abroad.”

Morten Gjelten, President of Pearle* added: “The online tool will be of great help for orchestras, ensembles or music groups to prepare travel. For different destinations and practically all protected species used in instruments, it shows which steps must be taken to obtain the necessary administrative documents before going on tour.”

A number of legally crafted musical instruments may contain elephant ivory, tortoiseshell, reptile skin, rosewood or other materials regulated under CITES. Pearle* and FIM wish to recall their commitment and support of the CITES objectives on combatting wildlife trafficking, including the illegal trade of ivory.

Pearle* and FIM extend special thanks to the German Federal Office for Nature Conservation (BfN), in particular the German CITES enforcement authority as well as the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for their support and advice regarding the information provided on the website.

The International Federation of Musicians (FIM), founded in 1948, is the only body representing musicians’ unions globally, with members in about 65 countries covering all regions of the world. FIM is recognised as an NGO by diverse international authorities such as WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), the ILO (International Labour Office), the European Commission, the European Parliament or the Council of Europe. https://www.fim-musicians.org
Contact: Thomas Dayan +33 145 263 123 | +33 664 125 578 | thomas.dayan@fim-musicians.org

PEARLE* – Live Performance Europe represents through its member associations the interests of more than 10,000 organisations including orchestras, music ensembles, groups, festivals, concert halls, producers, promoters and service suppliers in the event technology across Europe. This includes profit as well as non-profit organisations, ranging from micro-enterprises to companies with over 250 employees. Pearle* is recognised by the European Commission as a European sectoral social partner, representing the employers in the European sectoral social dialogue committee live performance. Pearle* is a member of the CITES working group on annotations and electronic systems. Pearle* also has observer status with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) and ILO (International Labour Organisation). https://www.pearle.eu

Contact: Silke Lavani + 32 22 03 62 96 | +32 476 02 71 87 | silke@pearle.eu