Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-07-02-Speech-1-033"
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"en.20010702.4.1-033"2
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"Madam President, this report relates to the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee, and it is therefore far too late to affect the course of this directive – not that a single or group of MEPs could do that anyway. Nevertheless I will take this opportunity to put on record my party's opposition to this measure. In so doing I must point out a few home truths to this House, even though I know these will be unpopular with the institution, which prefers to live in its own world, totally detached from reality.
First, although this measure aims to remove distortions in the internal market, it is fair to say that there is no such thing as a Community market in the resale of artists' work. There is in fact a major market in the UK – mainly in London – and very little else in Europe. Therefore, the major effect would be not so much to distort as to disrupt the UK market. The net result of this will be to drive the trade elsewhere: to Japan, Switzerland and the United States, none of which countries will have the same concern for EU-based artists as the London market.
Secondly, such money as is collected will invariably go to the wrong people. Seventy per cent of the
funds collected in France in 1996 went not to the artists but to the descendants of seven artists, including the relatives of Matisse and Picasso. This does not exactly conform with the images of helping the struggling artist.
Thirdly, the law itself is cumbersome and will add considerably to the costs of art markets by adding a tier of bureaucracy and expense. Many small firms will be excluded from low-value sales altogether, limiting the opportunities for new and aspiring artists to market their works. Instead of helping artists, this will hinder them, and there will be fewer small firms left in business. Who will then buy the works of unknown artists? Altogether this is an ill-conceived, irrational and ultimately unnecessary piece of legislation.
The legislation itself will be the instrument which creates distortions in an otherwise satisfactory market. As is so often the case, Parliament and the European Union should leave things alone."@en1
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