The bigger picture: arts under attack

Ivan Macquisten | 31st January 2022 | Uncategorised
BRAFA GeneralView image © Fabrice Debatty PROCESSED

The EU has introduced new art and antiques regulation. It raises serious questions about citizens’ rights to personal property

The EU has legislated new import licencing regulation to cover art and antiques. These will be fully enforced from 2025. The regulations pose serious risks to those who trade in artworks. They also raise serious questions about citizens’ rights to personal property. The new regulations will see art traders required to produce definitive documentation or otherwise be presumed guilty of importing an illegally exported object. This is problematic because this documentation is not always easily available. For example, Germany, with its existing stricter rules, has already seen dozens of items left in limbo as customs frets over what to do with them, having neither the information nor the expertise to decide. At the heart of this issue are often orphan works, items acquired that either did not require or no longer have documentation verifying their sale and export from their historic countries of origin. The absence of paperwork is commonplace and understandable: the passage of time means m...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



To Europeans, America is back. The US wants something in return

Niklas Nováky | April 14, 2021

If it is not possible to renew transatlantic vows under Biden, chances are that it will not happen under his successor either.

Treaty change can secure post-Covid reform for the EU

Daniel Kaddik | April 14, 2021

The upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe must avoid becoming a mere publicity stunt, when the bloc needs drastic change.

COVID Recovery Fund challenged in European Courts

Robert Tyler | April 12, 2021

If the Constitutional Court decides to proceed with the case, it could delay the roll out of the Coronavirus Recovery Fund for months

What if there isn’t a path forward for Keir Starmer?

Marie Le Conte | April 6, 2021

Keir Starmer became leader of the Labour party just under a year ago. He isn’t doing great; he isn’t doing terribly either, but few seem to believe he…

Meditations in an Emergency: Whitehall during COVID

Adam Solomons | March 24, 2021

An Institute for Government report diagnosed Whitehall’s mixed success during the coronavirus pandemic. Its lead author said making the necessary changes will be no mean feat.

Who backs who in the modern Conservative party?

Marie Le Conte | March 23, 2021

In her latest Jackdaw circular, Marie Le Conte observes a rare ceasefire in Tory backbench alliances. Will it hold?

The APPG for One Punch Assaults should tread lightly

Bill Bowkett | March 22, 2021

Mandatory minimum sentencing is an unwise aspect of considerations made by the MPs’ lobby group led by Dehenna Davison, argues Bill Bowkett

The internet said #BringBackPiers. Too right.

Adam Solomons | March 18, 2021

Symbol of British decline or catalyst for seaside renewal? Either way, they deserve our love and attention, argues Adam Solomons

Women don’t need a new Met Commissioner. We need concrete action.

Megan Kenyon | March 17, 2021

Fear and unease are widespread among women across the UK. Gestures from Westminster won’t cut it, argues Megan Kenyon.

To Westminster: remember climate change?

Marie Le Conte | March 9, 2021

In her latest Jackdaw entry, Marie Le Conte argues Westminster politicians are forgetting about one very important issue.