The function of CINOA has always been to promote the highest standards in trade practices and to publicize the art and antiques industry. A number of years ago, CINOA decided to re-focus efforts on the ever growing government regulations that were being created that would stymie member trade. The very first thing we had to understand was why these regulations were accelerating, particularly in the EU, the United States and Great Britain.

A number of years ago, on attending an information session held by the Fish and Wildlife Service about ivory, I was witness to a forum that was designed to rubber stamp severe restrictions on any and all ivory trade. This was among the first things I saw where real time data was ignored in order to create greater restrictions on trade in ivory. The panel had no experts, merely a group that was emeritus, not people who understood the nature of elephant population depredation. The people creating the panel had a distinct bias towards stopping the trade in all ivory, modern and antique, in the U.S.

Events like these on many art related issues have been happening in various forms over the last 10 years be they in newspaper articles, government forums, etcetera. The primary scare tactic is terrorism. Illegally poached ivory was called blood ivory, antiquities looted in Iraq and Syria were blood antiquities. Money laundering as well, allowed for the funding of crime which can have links to terrorism.

For the last few years, CINOA has compiled a fact sheet on the bogus figures and claims regarding illicit trade in the art market. These misleading claims, based on unfounded assumptions, are often touted  by the media, policy makers and anti-trade groups.  This is what is now being called a zombie statistic — these stories amplify over time and gain credence. These unfortunately are triggering new legislation and policies.

We needed to make our members aware of what we were about to tackle. We elaborated on how government regulation is overzealous and often based on inaccurate information. This is true of laws being created in the EU, the US and the UK. Now, I am happy to say, our members are aware of how we are being marginalized and, to that end, we decided that we needed help in navigating strategy and for that we turned to a lobbying firm based in Brussels called Lighthouse Europe. Our decision to focus on the EU was made because a majority of our dealers are in the EU and because we realized that laws transmigrate. Ivory laws went from the US and UK to Europe, anti-money laundering from Europe to the US. Focusing on the EU was therefore a tactical decision based on the practicality of a limited budget.

The next vital step is to raise the awareness of industries that are related to the art and antiques industry. This includes insurance, transportation, art fair owners, restorers — to name just a few. Of singular importance to dealers is the collector, former, present and future collectors. This collective group needs to be made aware and, if capable, be enlisted to donate the efforts being made to curb over zealous legislation.

To wind this up, I will say that we have had some success. UNESCO recognized CINOA as a legitimate voice in discussions relating to art, antiques and antiquities. So have several committees of the European Parliament. These are small vital steps as it is necessary to be recognized as that recognition translates to practical discussion. Our lobbyists, Lighthouse Europe, have been spectacular at aiming us to the right committees at the right time in the labyrinthine body of the EU. That, too, is helping. Overall success will take time, but we are committed to making the changes that need to be made.