- Government sets out the restriction work to be carried out in
the first year of UK REACH, the UK’s new chemical regime
- Evidence shows lead ammunition harms the environment,
wildlife and people
- Consultation will seek public’s views on restriction
proposals
Lead ammunition could be phased out under government plans to
help protect wildlife and nature, Environment Minister announced today (23 March).
A large volume of lead ammunition is discharged every year over
the countryside, causing harm to the environment, wildlife and
people. The government is now considering a ban under the UK’s
new chemical regulation system –
UK REACH– and has requested
an official review of the evidence to begin today with a public
consultation in due course.
Research by the
Wildfowl
and Wetlands Trust shows that between 50,000 to 100,000
wildfowl die in the UK each year due ingesting lead from used
pellets. Despite being highly toxic, wildfowl often mistake the
pellets for food. A further 200,000 to 400,000 birds suffer
welfare or health impacts, and animals that predate on wildfowl
can also suffer.
Lead ammunition can also find its way into the wider environment
and the food chain, posing a risk to people if they eat
contaminated game birds. Studies have also found that lead
poisoning caused lowered immune systems in wild birds,
potentially aiding the spread of diseases such as avian influenza
(bird flu).
Environment Minister said:
“Addressing the impacts of lead ammunition will mark a
significant step forward in helping to protect wildlife, people,
and the environment.
“This is a welcome development for our new chemicals framework,
and will help ensure a sustainable relationship between shooting
and conservation.”
The announcement today has been welcomed by environmental
organisations.
Dr Julia Newth, Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Manager
at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), said:
“Conservationists, including WWT, shooting organisations and game
meat retailers have recognised the toxic risks from lead
ammunition to people and the environment. Regulation of its use
in all shooting, wherever this may happen, is very much needed as
soon as possible to protect human and animal health and to enable
us to move towards a greener and safer future.
Shooting organisations are also supportive of transitioning away
from the use of lead ammunition and are working with government
to bring this about.
The Environment Agency, together with the Health and Safety
Executive, will now start a two-year process to review the
evidence, conduct a public consultation and propose options for
restrictions.
Now we have left the EU we are able to make our own laws. UK
REACH allows decisions to be made on the regulation of chemicals
based on the best available scientific evidence, ensuring
chemicals remain safely used and managed.
Notes to editors:
- The use of lead ammunition in England is restricted by the
Environmental Protection (Restriction on the use of Lead
Ammunition) (England) Regulations 1999. (Similar existing
regulations apply in Wales with different definitions adopted in
Scotland and Northern Ireland), These Regulations prohibit the
use of lead ammunition on all foreshores in England, in or over
specified SSSIs (predominately wetlands) and for the shooting of
all ducks and geese, coot and moorhen. The plans announced today
will consider phasing out the use of lead ammunition across all
environments across England, Scotland and Wales.
- The Government is also initiating a restriction on substances
with certain hazards in tattoo inks and permanent make-up.
