The UK Government has confirmed that an additional four ports will be designated to handle the movement of protected animals or plants, including, for example, ivory in musical instruments

The Incorporated Society of Musicians has announced progress for touring musicians in the face of a no-deal Brexit, namely involving the transport of musical instruments.

The UK Government has confirmed that an additional four ports (Belfast Seaport, Dover, Eurotunnel, and Holyhead) will be designated to handle the movement of protected animals or plants to ensure there is enough capacity to transport CITES products in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, anyone wishing to bring a specimen of a protected species of animal or plant – including, for example, ivory in musical instruments – into the UK or export to the EU will require a CITES document. Such documents must be applied for in advance of travel and inspected and endorsed (stamped) by Border Force at a CITES-designated point of entry or exit.

The Government has published updated guidance which sets out how people who trade-in, or travel with, protected animals or plants and their derivatives, will be affected when the UK leaves the EU.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, anyone wishing to move protected animal and plant specimens between the UK and the EU will need relevant CITES documents.

Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, said: “We welcome this news from the government as musicians routinely use these ports to travel to the EU27/EEA with their instruments, many of which contain CITES materials. By opening up these four ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it will enable musicians to travel more easily with their instruments to and from the EU27/EEA. This is a success for the ISM and our Save Music campaign. This development is a key recommendation within our report Impact of Brexit on Musicians, published in May this year. The ISM has been engaged in many regular talks with DEFRA and as such thank DEFRA for their attentive work on this issue.”