The Labour government’s manifesto pledge to help break down barriers for artists touring in the EU looks set to have hit a major early obstacle, with the EU reported to have ruled out making changes.

According to internal EU briefing documents seen by the Financial Times (FT), the web of post-Brexit red tape, around performance visas and equipment transport permits that has made touring the EU for UK artists more complex and expensive, is unlikely to be cut any time soon.

Within the documents Brussels has stated that a deal is not possible as it would mean rewriting the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The European Commission has indicated that it is not prepared to consider revising post-Brexit rules on customs, road haulage and services.

The FT has also reported that the EU documents seen by its team state that a deal enabling UK professionals to work in the EU was “not straightforward”.

In response to the report, LIVE CEO Jon Collins said that negotiations are planned and the EU has a track record of finding solutions: “Venues, festivals, and artists across both the UK and EU are suffering under the current touring arrangements. It is widely recognised that improvements to these touring rules are needed to bring major economic and cultural benefits to both European member states and the UK.

“We welcome the renewed impetus from both sides to solve this issue, and recognise negotiations are needed to find a solution. We agree with the EU Domestic Advisory Group’s view that the solution to touring problems could be delivered without the need to revise the Trade and Co-operation Agreement.”

According to a recent Musicians Union survey of its members and the wider music community about the issues faced when touring in the EU, 59% of respondents said touring the EU was no longer financially viable.

Among the survey’s other findings were that 41% had to hire equipment in the EU to avoid the cost of a Carnet, and 35% had to hire transport in the EU. Some 75% of respondents who had previously worked in the EU prior to the UK’s departure said their bookings had declined, and 79% said they had been unable to make up for the loss of that work by touring elsewhere in the world.

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