So all we have to do to avoid any interstate commerce issues is have complete records back to the standing tree or living animal for every piece of material owned or used showing compliance with every law or regulation in force at the time of each act by a link in the supply chain?

If I am recalling correctly, the government agents responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Cites, Lacey and FF&W restrictions who spoke at ASIA stated that their working assumption about old stocks of wood that are present in the US is that they were legally imported and thus legal.

My take on this is similar to Peter's above. If anything is innacurate here I'd appreciate clarification, but facts only not speculation :

"Ok, I have 200+ BRW bridges that I purchased about 6+ years ago from either LMII or Allied. I tossed out the receipts years ago. Can I still use them on a guitar and not get "busted"?"

These can be used on guitars which will be sold only in the US assuming they have no Cites certification, or sold as blanks within the US and not internationally.

" What about Honduran Mahogany? I have 200 neck blanks I got from Gilmer about 8 years ago. Do I have to stop using these neck blanks if I can't "prove" I purchased this wood from them?"

Fine for use in the U.S. and export in a finished form such as a guitar neck. Cities Appendix II only limits trade in mahogany logs, lumber and sawn veneer. Lacey does apply in terms of a declaration of species and origin for export"

" I process my own nuts and saddles from cow femurs purchased from the local butcher. Are those banned now as well?"

In case of export you would list the latin name of the species (domestic cattle) to differentiate it from something that is regulated.

" I used to use MOP position markers that I bought 10 years ago from LMII. I've recently stopped using them until I figure out this Lacey act crap."

No problem with sales in the US there may be a regulation which states that you have to declare the presence of wildlile products (MOP is perfectly legal) for interstate shipping. FF&W requires a license to export MOP. the cost of this ($75.) is why suppliers no longer sell small quantities of shell internationally.

" I also have 200+ African Ebony fingerboards that I purchases in 1999. Are those now banned? Any one else confused about this crap? "

Same applies as mahogany in domestic sales and export.

The thing that seems to be mis-interpreted here is that inter-state restrictions apply only when materials have been illegally imported (whether cities restricted or in violation of Lacey) into the US.
Import and Export is really the main problem.

t's important that accurate information gets shared on this subject. Otherwise no one is going to gain an understanding or will be able to negiotiate this complex situation.

Folks blowing off steam helps no one.

I used to use MOP position markers that I bought 10 years ago from LMII. I've recently stopped using them until I figure out this Lacey act crap.

If I am recalling correctly, the government agents responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Cites, Lacey and FF&W restrictions who spoke at ASIA stated that their working assumption about old stocks of wood that are present in the US is that they were legally imported and thus legal.

I think they are only concerned about activity from this point forward insofar as the movements of those materials.

Although the advice came through George A. Balady (APHIS Staff Agriculturist Officer, in Riverdale, MD), it's not individual agents who would be certifying undocumented wood -- it's an agency issue that's dealt with through the submission of a document in the form of a sworn statement on the Plant and Plant Product Declaration Form PPQ-505 application. According to Balady, although this approach is unusual it has been approved at times and should be the first thing tried before getting involved in more complicated attempts. He also said if this met with failure to contact him personally at his private office number (given at the workshop) and he'd talk to his superiors about what could be done to work with luthiers on the problem.

There is a good chance that Allied and LMII keep records of what they ship to customers. If it matters, you might want to asked them for duplicate documentation.