Hundreds of music artists from across Europe are calling on the European Union to cut VAT on CDs.
More than 1,200 international stars including Sir Elton John, Chris de Burgh and Andrea Bocelli have signed a petition being presented to the EU in Brussels on Tuesday. They want recorded music to be classed in line with other cultural products such as books, newspapers and theatre tickets – which attract reduced VAT rates.
Belgian pop star Alex Callier and German singer Rolf Zuckowski presented the petition, which has been sent to the 20 European Commissioners. Callier, from the band Hooverphonic, said: ” When someone buys a biography of Jacques Brel in Belgium he pays a VAT rate of 6%, but if he buys a CD of his music he has to pay 21%. “This makes no sense and does not recognise the cultural role of musical artists.”
