Regulating imports of cultural goods

‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings aim to provide Members of the European Parliament with systematic and automatic analysis on all substantial proposals for EU legislation at every stage of the legislative procedure. Each contains an account of the purpose, content and legal aspects of the legislation proposed, in particular analysing what the legislation would change, as well as any previous legislation and the background. An overview of stakeholders’ views is also provided, as well as the opinions of national parliaments and the two advisory committees.

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Titles in the series since 2016 offer expanded information under the following headings:

Background
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Proposal
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Views
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Legislative process
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References
+ EP supporting analysis
+ Other sourcesAntiquities and valuable works of art from impoverished or war-torn countries and regions are often illegally acquired, sold and imported into the European Union (EU). In addition to damaging or destroying the archaeological sites and the artefacts themselves, illicit trade in looted cultural goods has also been identified as a source of income for terrorists and organised crime groups.

With the exception of two specific measures for Iraq and Syria, there was no EU legislation covering the import of cultural goods from third countries entering the EU. The national legislation in this area introduced by some Member States was divergent. Therefore, an EU-level approach would ensure that imports of cultural goods were subject to uniform controls along all the EU external borders.

The legislative proposal adopted by the European Commission in July 2017, as a follow-up to other EU initiatives aimed at strengthening the fight against terrorism financing, intended to prevent the import and storage in the EU of cultural goods that have been removed from a third country illegally, and thereby to combat trafficking in cultural goods, deprive terrorists of a source of income, and protect cultural heritage.

EP: EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress http://epthinktank.eu/eu-legislation-in-progress/

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