Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent progress has been made in negotiations relating to cultural mobility, with particular reference to CITES-regulated instruments moving between the UK and EU.

The Government has reset the UK’s relationship with the EU, and committed to help our touring artists in our manifesto. This is in full recognition of the challenges that touring artists, and their support staff, face when touring in Europe. Our aim is to identify practical solutions to ensure that UK artists can continue to perform across Europe with minimal barriers while respecting the regulatory frameworks on both sides.

At the inaugural UK-EU Summit, the UK and European Commission committed to supporting UK-EU cultural exchange, recognising the activities of touring artists. This is in the UK’s national interest, and the EU’s interest.

By ensuring artists and crew can tour more easily, we can support shared economic growth, job creation, and artistic innovation across our continent.

Therefore, we will continue to engage constructively with the EU and Member States to explore solutions that improve mobility arrangements for touring across Europe.

Specifically on CITES, The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) recently consulted on potential reforms to the UK’s CITES framework, including Musical Instrument Certificates, with the aim of ensuring the system is clear, proportionate, and effective.

This consultation provided the opportunity for the music sector to make its voice heard directly on the proposals for fees, charges, and processes, ensuring the unique needs of touring artists are fully reflected in the outcome. The consultation closed on 23 October 2025, and responses are currently being analysed by Defra. The outcome of the consultation, and associated amendments, will be discussed and reviewed across Government.

DCMS will continue working closely with Defra and other partners, including the EU, to ensure the impacts on the music sector are properly understood and considered.