Following years of campaigning by WWT, BirdLife and other international partners, it is now illegal to use lead gunshot in and around wetlands in all 27 EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein.
The new law, which came into full effect on 15 February 2023, will not only help protect the health of wetlands, but should save the lives of millions of birds. This important milestone marks the end of a two year transition period to allow countries to ditch lead for non-toxic ammunition.
Waterbirds are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning as they ingest discarded lead shot while feeding and mistake the small pellets for grit which they select to help grind up their food.
Lead’s toxic influence also extends to other wildlife as poisoned birds, weakened by lead, are easy targets for predators and scavengers such as eagles and vultures which then also succumb to its harmful impacts. And people are not exempt from the risks – they become exposed to lead when eating game meat contaminated with fragments of lead shot.
After years of campaigning, the world is finally wising up to the harm caused by lead. Over the last two decades, WWT has undertaken and shared scientific research which has helped reveal the true extent of the problem and the barriers to change, while pushing for a transition away from lead.
Dr Julia Newth, Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Manager at WWT: “This EU law is a huge leap towards ending lead ammunition poisoning of wildlife in Europe. There is no safe level of lead – it has polluted wetlands for more than a century, creating a toxic environment for those that depend on them. This milestone recognises that it is time to clean up our act. This ban must be fully enforced by EU countries to ensure their wetlands are healthy for wildlife and future generations”.
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Posted On: 15/02/2023