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The British Government has begun a consultation process that proposes charging instrument owners up to £200 for applications for Musical Instrument Certificates (MIC). The applications are currently free, but under the new proposals, a flat fee of £61 would be added per certificate; or for multiple certificates, a fee of £200 per application.
MICs are legally required for all musicians travelling internationally with an instrument or accessory (such as a bow) containing a CITES-restricted species such as ivory, tortoiseshell or Brazilian rosewood. Since Brexit this has included all trips to the European Union. MICs are valid for three years, after which time the holder must apply for a new one.
The Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) has written to the government’s Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) expressing its concerns. In the letter, ISM chief executive Deborah Annetts says: ‘It is entirely incomprehensible that another government department would consult on adding another financial burden on musicians, particularly before progress is made to remove other complicated and expensive red tape.’
In the UK, MIC applications are processed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, an executive agency of Defra. Processing can take up to 30 days.