Schweden von EU-Kommission unter Druck gesetzt

[Archaeos]

In Sachen Transport von Metallsuchgeräten wird die schwedische Regierung wird von der EU Kommission kräftig unter Druck gesetzt:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAct ... anguage=en
Die Kommission ist der Auffassung, dass die derzeitige schwedische Gesetzgebung, welche den Gebrauch und den Transport von Metallsuchgeräten sehr strikt regelt ungeeignet ist, um das archäologische und geschichtliche Erbe zu schützen und ebenfalls gegen die Prinzipien des freien Warenverkehrs in der EU verstosse: Da hat die Detektorlobby einen großen Schlag gelandet. Mal sehen, ob sich die Schweden einschüchtern lassen.

IP/10/1223
Brussels, 30 September 2010
Free movement of goods - Commission requests Sweden to comply with EU rules as regards metal detectors
The European Commission has today decided to request Sweden to amend its legislation on the use of metal detectors so as to ensure its compliance with EU rules on the free movement of goods. The Commission considers that Sweden's current legislation, that places strict limits on the use and transport of metal detectors, is disproportionate to the public policy objective of protecting archaeological and historical sites, and so constitutes an unjustified barrier to imports of metal detectors into Sweden. The request takes the form of a reasoned opinion under EU infringement procedures. If Sweden does not inform the Commission within two months of measures taken to ensure full compliance with its obligations under EU law, the Commission may decide to refer Sweden to the EU's Court of Justice.
The Swedish Heritage Conservation Act states that metal detectors may neither be used nor carried on the sites of ancient monuments and remains, except when travelling on a road that is open to the general public. Imports of metal detectors into Sweden are affected by this general ban on the use and the carrying of these devices.
While the Commission supports the necessity to protect national treasures of archaeological and historical value, it believes however that Sweden could prevent the risks of plundering of heritage sites by other measures more appropriate and less restrictive of the free movement of goods. The free movement of goods is established in Articles 34 and 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
More information
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies ... dex_en.htm
For more information on EU infringement procedures, see MEMO/10/457.

[Pfälzer/Jürgen Hahn]

Da hat die Detektorlobby einen großen Schlag gelandet.

Die hast Phobien entwickelt André. Lass das besser behandeln. Das macht sonst irgendwann wirklich krank.

[Archaeos]

Da hat die Detektorlobby einen großen Schlag gelandet.

Die hast Phobien entwickelt André. Lass das besser behandeln. Das macht sonst irgendwann wirklich krank.

Die Drohung der EU Kommission gegen Schweden basiert auf der Klage eines Detektorimporteurs (G. B.), der ebenfalls als einer der Hauptverfechter der Schatzsuche in Grossbritannien bekannt ist Wusstest Du das?

[Walter Franke]

Moin André,

es gibt keine Detektorenlobby - leider!

Gruß

Walter

[jupppo]

Da hat die Detektorlobby einen großen Schlag gelandet.

Die hast Phobien entwickelt André. Lass das besser behandeln. Das macht sonst irgendwann wirklich krank.

Immer noch besser als der krankhaft Reflex, alles was mit Denkmalschutz zu tun hat zu kommentieren, mit Hohn und Hähme zu überhäufen und beim Thema Sondengänger das Gehirn abzuschalten.

[Pfälzer/Jürgen Hahn]

Danke (Thomas ? oder war es der versteckte Mann im Hintergrund ?) für die Löschung meines letzten Beitrags.

[Archaeos]

...Mal sehen, ob sich die Schweden einschüchtern lassen...

Die französische Denkmalschutzvereinigung Happah hat mittlerweile ebenfalls reagiert und die EU Kommission angeschrieben:
http://www.halte-au-pillage.org/Courrie ... 1-2010.pdf

[Pfälzer/Jürgen Hahn]

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies ... ide_de.pdf

[Archaeos]

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies ... ide_de.pdf

Aufschlussreiches Dokument, was die Argumente der Happah stützt.

[Pfälzer/Jürgen Hahn]

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies ... ide_de.pdf

Aufschlussreiches Dokument, was die Argumente der Happah stützt.

Ach André

Wie immer Verständnisprobleme mit solchen Texten. Warum hat wohl die EU Schweden gerüffelt und setzt sie unter Druck ?

Wenn Schweden wirklich im Recht wäre, hätte doch die EU-Kommission überhaupt nicht einschreiten müssen und hätte es auch nicht getan.

Es geht hier um den Binnenmarkt innerhalb der EU und nur wenige Ausnahmen (Ein u. -Ausfuhr) mit rechtfertigenden Begründungen sind zugelassen. Die von Schweden angestrebte, scheint ja nicht darunter zu fallen. Es geht hier z.B. nicht um den Handel mit Kulturgut.

[Archaeos]

Hier die Antwort der Schweden:

http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeolog ... 8-4191.pdf

Swedish Cabinet Opens Door to New Metal Detector Legislation
Category: Archaeology • Politics
Posted on: December 8, 2010 12:22 PM, by Martin R

In October, I wrote about a ruling of the European Commission against Sweden's restrictions on metal-detector use. The angle, kind of irrelevantly one may think, was that our rules counteract the free mobility of goods, which is of course a central concern of the EU.

On 30 November Sweden's Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied to the European Commission. The gist of the reply is that "We think protection of the cultural heritage, which is also central concern of the EU, should trump the free mobility of goods in this case".

Up until §27 there is little new here. But then we get this (and I translate):

"§28. [...] However, Cabinet believes that there may be reason to question whether the current general ban on metal-detector use is entirely appropriate, and is therefore prepared to re-evaluate the extent and design of the ban.

§29. For this reason, Cabinet intends to task the National Heritage Board with swiftly investigating alternative rules. These should primarily be directed towards the prohibition of metal-detector use on and next to archaeological sites and to prohibit any search for archaeological objects. In particularly exposed regions, such as Öland and Gotland, a general ban should [still] be considered. Other solutions should also be taken under consideration, from the point of departure that the general ban shall be modified and the Swedish rules be harmonised with EU law. The National Heritage Board shall present its task in the spring of 2011, after which its suggestions will be referred to the interested parties.

§30. Then a lagrådsremiss with suggestions for revised legislation shall be produced and delivered to the Lagrådet, after which a Bill will be drafted and handed to Parliament for resolution. Cabinet's intention is that it shall be made possible to enact the new legislation early in 2012.

This is good news and quite astonishing! But I see trouble in the words "prohibit any search for archaeological objects", which is in all likelihood intended to mean "prohibit any search for metalwork older than AD 1900". That's ridiculous.

You never know what you're going to find, and indeed, the main value to society at large of amateur metal detectorists is when they do find and salvage otherwise unknown archaeology. Also, it would remain legal (and commendable) to field-walk for ancient flint and pottery and report such finds to the authorities. Why should it then be illegal to want to find ancient metalwork? And how do you police the issue? Must the County Archaeologist waterboard all metal detectorists and ask them if they really don't want to find any older objects?

Everybody wants to find something old and interesting! We need to enable responsible Swedish detectorists to do so for the common good of Swedish archaeology, and encourage a culture of skilled hobbyists that condemns looting. Our legislation already demands of anyone who finds ancient copper alloy or precious metals, regardless of how they make the finds, that they report to the authorities.

Thanks again to Tobias Bondesson, detectorist and contributor to Fornvännen and Aard, for the tip-off.

http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeolog ... oor_to.php

[Archaeos]

For this reason, Cabinet intends to task the National Heritage Board with swiftly investigating alternative rules. These should primarily be directed towards the prohibition of metal-detector use on and next to archaeological sites and to prohibit any search for archaeological objects.

Damit wäre die "Schatzsuche" oder das "Hobbysondengehen" in Schweden definitiv gestorben ...

[Archaeos]

Hier einer der vielen Gründe, weshalb sich die Schweden von der EU-Kommission nicht einschüchtern lassen:

http://www.thelocal.se/30700/20101208/

Stolen silver treasure recovered on Gotland
Published: 8 Dec 10 15:35 CET

An old silver treasure dating back to the Viking Age that was stolen on Gotland a year ago was recovered on Wednesday.


The thieves were caught by chance and will now be prosecuted for the theft of around 1,000 silver coins from the Viking Age. Five men aged 40 to 45 were charged for robbery.

"These thefts have been so frustrating for many years. It really feels like a sweet success that it has resulted in criminal charges against the thieves today," said Majvor Östergren, archaeological administrator of Gotland's county administrative board.

The silver treasure comprised a total of 2,000 coins from the 1060's, mostly German, English and Danish coins. The thieves had stolen over 1,000 coins.

"This was the typical content of a silver treasure during the Viking Age on Gotland," said Östergren.

The thieves found their treasure stuck in a field in Gandarve in Alva. Since the traces of ancient pillagers are usually rained or cleared away, it is often very difficult to both detect and solve crimes.

The suspects were linked to the crime scene by a remarkable discovery. Part of a crucifix from the 11th century was found in the ground where the looters dug. Several days later, an email was discovered by chance with a photo of a part of a crucifix.

A comparison of the find and the image showed that the parts belonged together and that the crucifix came from the hiding place in the field in Gandarve.

"The person who had sent the email was suspected of having attempted to sell the crucifix and he led us on to another person with ties to Gotland," said prosecutor Mats Wihlborg.

During a raid on a property on Gotland, investigators came across three people with metal detectors, shovels and backpacks. After examining computers and GPS equipment, they also found links between the defendants and two other places where the looters had struck on Gotland.

The charges the defendants face include preparation of aggravated crime against relics and aggravated crime against relics that carry a penalty of up to four years in prison. Three of the defendants were seen as the ringleaders behind the silver looting.

"It is very rare that we get this far. We have never had a case of this scope," said Wihlborg.

For looters armed with metal detectors, Gotland, with its many ancient finds, is a goldmine. A single rare coin from a silver treasure could be worth six figures alone.

Stolen goods are often sold on Swedish and foreign websites that specialise in these types of objects. Parts of silver treasures are also sold by the finest auction houses in Europe.

Kenneth Mandergrehn, coordinator of the cultural heritage crimes at the National Police (Rikspolisen), described the looting of antiquities as a large and often difficult problem.

"We rely heavily on the public being mindful. The crimes often take place at night out in fields with the help of metal detectors. As a rule, the looters are well acquainted with the areas. They know the value. They are not ordinary people who are out and plundering," he explained.

He emphasised that the thefts have many negative effects.

"When they rummage around for treasures in the ground, all the information about how the objects were placed and what was found around them is destroyed. We lose the historical background," he cautioned.

TT/The Local/vt