Euro consumers back bid to reduce VAT and boost sales. (International).

A significant number of consumers across Europe say they would buy more CDs if prices were slashed through reduced VAT rates.

Nearly 60% of those aged 16 or over quizzed in an IFPI-commissioned poll said they would be willing to increase their annual spend on music were a lower rate in place, while a third not currently buying any music would buy an average five CDs a year.

The results of the survey, carried out by the Martin Hamblin agency in Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK, were unveiled last week as EU finance ministers met in Brussels to discuss reducing VAT to the level already agreed for other cultural goods.

The IFPI launched the survey as part of an ongoing industry-wide campaign on the issue, involving a coalition of labels, authors and composers, publishers, managers and retailers. The study's findings suggest album sales could double across the five countries surveyed.

BPI executive chairman Peter Jamieson says the campaign is "about ensuring music is treated fairly as a vital part of our culture". "The EU has long conceded that our culture is something which needs nurturing and maybe even legislative support," he adds.

British Music Rights director general Frances Lowe also spoke out, arguing that ...