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A group of 54 European scientists from 17 European countries have come together to support restrictions on the use of lead ammunition via an Open Letter for the the European Commission. Member States have until 15 July 2020 to express their position on the European Commission proposal, and in the days leading up to the vote, it is vital to disseminate why lead ammunition needs to be replaced: from its high toxicity – creating public health problems – to devastating environmental contamination resulting in millions of deaths in our wetlands’ swans, ducks, geese, terrestrial birds and raptors every year.  

 The Current Standing Under REACH 

 The restriction of lead shot in wetlands is being considered under REACH, a European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. As it currently stands, several countries have indicated that they will abstain from voting, including Germany (who have the biggest share of the vote on the REACH Committee), Hungary, Slovakia and Latvia. The countries indicating they will vote against are Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Finland, Ireland, Estonia and Malta.  

To help tackle this fatal and urgent problem, Wetlands International is working with Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) to promote change – by encouraging the use of non-toxic alternatives to lead shot, expanding our base of knowledge around lead contamination, and alerting necessary stakeholders to its deadly effects. We have joined the initiative to write a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture of Germany to reconsider their decision to abstain, as they have the power to make the difference of this vote. 

In the Open Letter, the scientists urge the Commission, Member States, European Parliament and REACH Committee to not only support the restriction on the use of lead gunshot in or over wetlands, but highlight that a total ban would be the most impactful action when it comes to mitigating the risks posed to human and wildlife health. 

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

 The Risks of Lead Contamination 

There is an overwhelming body of scientific evidence from health professionals and scientists in Europe surrounding the release of lead-based ammunition to the environment, and its effect on society and wildlife. According to WWT, lead shotgun pellets are a primary culprit because they leave a “toxic legacy” for our environment, wildlife and people. Up to one million waterbirds in Europe die through ingesting tiny shot pellets that are mistaken for grit or seeds. Their deaths go unnoticed as they are taken quickly by predators, which is why the extent of lead poisoning is largely invisible. 

Humans are victims of lead contamination too – lead ammunition seeps into all spheres of the environment including wildlife, plants, soils, domestic animals and lead-shot game meat – posing a great risk to those who consume it frequently. 

Copyright Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

What is the solution? 

Non-poisonous alternatives to lead ammunition, such as steel shot, work just as well and are economically viable, and will be necessary as part of a greater consensus to sustainable hunting. In Europe, despite shooters being encouraged to use non-toxic alternatives to lead, the cases of lead poisoning are not declining.  

More than 20 years ago, European Member States such as the Netherlands and Denmark phased out the use of lead gunshot in all habitats. Similarly, we see that the full ban has not affected shooting numbers or activities. That is why it is time to apply the same changes to the rest of Europe – to help protect our European flyway – our healthy populations of wild birds in the wetlands – and to keep lead poisoning off our soils, domestic animals and plates. 

To find out how you can help, or for more information, see the work WWT are doing to help curb the problem and what they have achieved so far. Find the Open Letter here, and the evaluation of the proposal to regulate lead in hunting ammunition here.