Global classical stars campaign to stop Brazil blocking rare wood supply

A violin and bows seen at the studio of French bow maker Edwin Clement in Paris. Brazil wants to ban the usage of Pernambuco wood, also known as brazilwood, essential for making bows. Photo: AFP

Global classical stars including US cellist Yo-Yo Ma and British conductor Simon Rattle joined a campaign recently to stop Brazil blocking the trade in a rare wood used for making bows.

The world's greatest bows for violins and other stringed instruments are overwhelmingly made from the Paubrasilia Echinata, or pernambuco, which grows exclusively in northeastern Brazil and gave its name to the country.