Artists' resale rights blocked

British artists are denied the rights enjoyed elsewhere in Europe after heavy lobbying from the UK art market.

The UK art market has pressured the Labour Government in obstructing the progress of artists' resale rights in Europe.

Artists' resale right, which guarantee artists a two or three per cent payment each time an art work of theirs is sold at auction, is a widespread statutory right within the European Union.

The UK art market, which charges commissions of up to 30% on each sale, has thus far blocked any progress in the UK.

BECTU is giving full support to the campaign to extend the statutory rights of visual artists, and is working with the Designers' and Artists' Collecting Society (DACS).

Growing support within Europe for a universal resale right for artists brought the issue to the agenda of the Council of Ministers. It was clear there would be a qualified majority for the measure - however in a shock move the UK Government succeeded at having the issue withdrawn from the agenda to prevent the Council from agreeing the proposal.

The European Parliament has already agreed the new measure.

BECTU Deputy General Secretary Roy Lockett said: "This is an extraordinary decision. The UK Government has manipulated the procedure to frustrate the clear will of the European Parliament, the overwhelming majority of EU states and the creative community within Europe.

"We now need to massively increase the pressure to ensure that there is a level playing field for UK and other European artists."