The solution
“It is in every hunter’s best interest to switch to non-toxic ammunition"
European Hunting Experts
Hunting
The use of lead ammunition means hunting cannot be considered sustainable. The move away from lead is not anti-hunting, it is advocated by health professionals and food retailers and importantly those wanting to sustain hunting – not stop it.
Non-toxic ammunition – shot and bullets – work
Field trials and experience have shown no difference in the efficacy of non-toxic shot. It is efficient, equivalently priced and widely available because the ammunition manufacturers have responded to hunters’ needs.
Lead shot use is totally banned for hunting in Netherlands, Denmark and Flanders – their hunting remains healthy.
Non-toxic bullets are efficient and already used extensively where there are concerns about lead entering the human food chain.
Guaranteed markets for manufacturers created by regulation of lead ammunition will drive innovation further.
The benefits of non-toxic ammunition
Prevents over a 1,000,000 water bird deaths per year in Europe
Protects raptors and scavengers
Supports cleaner soils and plants
Stops the toxic legacy
Protects human health
Safeguards game meat markets
Promotes sustainable hunting
Protects the image of hunting in a modern society
Supports the European Green Deal
Guidance from the hunters themselves
FACE has produced good guidance on use of non-toxic ammunition.
Find it here.
The European Hunting Experts explain why change is now entirely possible.
See their factsheet here.
“We know and appreciate that lead is ballistically attractive, that hunters are familiar with it and that the gun and ammunition industry have built up to use and supply it. However, the wide availability of effective, safe and affordable alternatives means that it can no longer be acceptable from the perspective of ecological and human health and ultimately our collective vision for sustainability”.
European Hunting Experts
Sports shooting
Currently sports shooters use lead ammunition because the rules dictate its use. Changing the rules of the ISSF and FITASC would protect athletes, wider society and the environment from being exposed to the toxic effects of lead. The International Olympic Committee, with an obligation for sustainability, also needs to demand this change.
To allow a derogation for sports shooting in the EU merely forces shooting ranges into expensive mitigation measures and leaves residual risks to the environment and shooters alike.
Fishing
Using the available non-toxic fishing weights protects waterbirds and reduces risks to fishers and their families where melting of lead for ‘home casting’ of weights takes place.
Transition to non-toxic ammunition and fishing weights require policy