Illicit Trade Advisory Panel (ITAP)
The Ministerial Advisory Panel on the Illicit Trade in Cultural Objects was established in May 2000, under the chairmanship of Professor Norman Palmer, to advise how the UK can prevent and prohibit the illicit trade in cultural objects.
The Illicit Trade Advisory Panel's (ITAP) Report, which was published on 18 December 2000, contains sixteen recommendations. These include a proposal that the UK accede to the 1970 UNESCO Convention and that a new criminal offence of importing, dealing in or possessing stolen or illegally excavated cultural objects be introduced.
The two measures form part of a package designed to prevent illegally removed antiquities coming on to the UK marketplace, and hence maintain the integrity of historic monuments, buildings, structures and sites both in the UK and overseas:
Full accession to the "1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property" was achieved on 31 October 2002 (see Press Notice Government Signs Up To UNESCO Convention To Tackle Illicit Trade In Art And Antiquities). The Convention makes provision to secure the protection of the cultural heritage of other signatory countries and assist them in the recovery of illegally removed cultural property.
The Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Bill was introduced into the House of Commons by Richard Allan MP and received its Second Reading on Friday 4 April 2003. Sponsored by Lord Redesdale in the House of Lords, it received Royal Assent on 30 October and will take effect on 30 December 2003. The new Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003 is designed to criminalize anyone dealing dishonestly in unlawfully removed cultural objects from anywhere in the world. It has both cross-Party and cross-sectoral support among the UK art trade and heritage community.
Useful publications
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