Text tabled : A7-0326/2012

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (S&D), in writing. − (RO) I voted in favour of the Report on the Implementation and Effect of the Resale Right Directive. Artistic creation contributes to the continual development of the EU’s cultural life and heritage. There was strong growth in the European art market in 2011; the United Kingdom maintained a 19.4 % share of the global market, with an increase of 24 % in sales volume; France’s market share was 4.5 %, with a 9 % increase in turnover; and, Germany saw a 23 % increase in sales, with a market share of 1.8 %. Several of the Directive’s provisions ensure a balanced application of the resale right, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders, in particular the gradual decrease in applicable rates, the EUR 12 500 ceiling on the resale right, the exclusion of small sales and the resale exemption for the first buyer. I stress, however, that the Directive places an administrative burden on dealers. I call on the Commission to undertake an impact assessment of the functioning of the art market in general, including the administrative difficulties faced by smaller and specialist auction houses and dealers.