1. Phasing out the use of lead shot in wetlands
14 October 2011
Phasing out the use of lead shot in wetlands
African-Eurasian Waterbirds Agreement (AEWA – 1999) - Conference of Bergen-op-Zoom - agreement between BirdLife and Face.
Action Plan of AEWA (MOP ) “Parties shall endeavour to phase out the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands by the year 2000”
Conference Bergen-op-Zomm (11/2004) : MSs and the EC committed “to aiming to phase out the use of lead shot in wetlands as soon as possible and in accordance with self-imposed and published timetables”
Need to report to AEWA in view of the next Meeting of the Parties (May 2012)
State of play of the issue in the EU
What are the main lessons learnt?
What is the way forward?

2. Phasing out the use of lead shot in wetlands (2)
Ban on lead shot in wetlands decided
Ban on lead shot in wetlands not decided yet
Ban on lead shot concerning:
Under preparation
Under investigation
Nothing so far or lack of information
All species
Certain species
Everywhere
DK, NL, BE (Flanders)
CZ, FI, UK (England & Wales), EE
AT, LU
EI, LT, SI
GR, MT (no hunting authorized on wetlands), PL, RO
Certain areas (wetlands)
DE (11 länder), BE (Wallonia), ES, SE, UK (England & Wales), UK (Scotland & N. Ireland)
LV, SK, PT
Wetlands + buffer zone
BG, FR, HU, IT, CY
Red: Legislation adopted but not entered into force yet
Green: non-member of AEWA

3. Phasing out the use of lead shot in wetlands (3)
Survey (replies from BE, BG, CY, DK, ES, FR, IT, NL, LT, PT, SE, SK, UK, FACE):
No real technical barriers (DK, NL, BE). Some concerns as regards damage to processing equipments in saw mills and increased risks of injuries (SE).
Temporary obstacles: price of non-lead shot ammunitions (BG, ES, LT), adaptations required (BG)
Compliance can be a problem. Enforcement is complicated when the ban concerns only wetlands or certain species (BE, IT). In ES, both the possession and the use of lead shot cartridges is prohibited on certain areas.
A better understanding of the issue increases a lot the level of compliance
Close consultation and co-operation with the hunting community are essential (UK, SK)
Awareness-raising must continue (ES, FR, IT, UK)
On-going studies:
Potential risks to human and wildlife health caused by the use of lead ammunition (UK)
Effects of lead on terrestrial birds, human health and ecosystems (IT)
Compliance study in England: non-compliance is widespread. Lack of awareness-raising: Lead poisoning = “unseen disease”. Cost of non-lead ammunition. Confusing regulation => need for information and guidance.

4. Phasing out the use of lead shot in wetlands (4)
Action at EU-level to make progress:
Monitoring
Awareness-raising
Legal option:
REACH (Regulation (EC) n°1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)
EC or MSs have an obligation to undertake certain steps if a substance poses a risk to human health or the environment
EC requests the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) to prepare a dossier for restriction proposal. If action on a Community-wide basis is necessary => ECHA suggests restrictions
A similar procedure can be initiated by a MS
Two ECHA’s Committees (Cees. for Risk assessment and Socio-economic Analysis) are consulted.

5. Phasing out the use of lead shot in wetlands (5)
Information collected from Member States Validation 11/2010
Member State
Ban either in certain areas (wetlands) or on certain species or on certain species in certain areas (state of play in November 2010) (various definitions of wetlands)
Ban on buffer zones
Total ban
Ban on commercial sale
Observations
New legislation adopted or under preparation - Date of implementation
Source of information DK
YES NO
Ministery 2009 NL BE
Flanders - YES
Ministery 2010
Wallonia - YES
Wallonia - NO
Wallonia: "Nickel lead" is allowed
Brussels - YES
Hunting prohibited everywhere
Federal - YES BG
Buffer zone = 200 m around the wetland FR
Buffer zone = 30 m around the wetland HU
Possible buffer zone = 100 m around the wetland IT
Buffer zone = 100 m around the wetland CY
Buffer zone = 300 m around the wetland CZ ?
Applies on waterfowl.
YES - 01/01/2011 DE
YES in 11 länder
Lead shot banned in wetlands in 11/16 länder
YES in 2 Länder
Ministery 2009 and FACE 2010
Total ban in land-owned forests in Brandenburg (suspended for bullets due to safety concerns - ricochets) ES FI
Applies on waterfowl - No ban in Åland LV PT
Applies to waterfowl on certain wetlands.
YES SE
Derogations possible for trap, double trap or skeet (sport shooting) UK
England -YES
England -NO
England - NO
All birds in certain areas and certain species everywhere
Ministery and FACE 2010
Wales - YES
Wales - NO
Idem
Scotland - YES
Scotland - NO
Certain areas
Northern Ireland - YES
Northern Ireland - NO AT
Under preparation. There is a recommendation of the Austrian Hunting Associations for the use of non-lead shot for hunting waterfowl in wetlands (since April 2008).
YES ? IE
On-going public consultation. An outline agreement has been reached with the main shooters representative body.
Ministery 2011 EE
Certain species.
YES - 01/01/2013 LU
New regulation not adopted yet. Certain species.
YES ?
Ministery 2010 and 2011 LT
On-going discussions with hunters and the ammunition sector. Hunting forbidden on the most important wetlands. MT -
No wetlands in Malta where hunting is permitted
FACE 2010 SI
Analysis under way SK
Certain species in certain areas
YES - 01/01/2015 GR
FACE 2008 PL RO