BirdLife Europe and Central Asia have launched a campaign over the past weeks calling for the European Union to completely ban the use of lead in hunting, sport shooting, and fishing. They said that at least one million birds die of lead poisoning every year.

The organisations stressed that exposure to lead can also have severe consequences for people should they be exposed to it, especially children.

It was highlighted that in Europe, lead which is highly toxic is already banned in petrol, paint, and pipes due to its serious health risks. However more than 44,000 tonnes of lead are still dispersed into the EU environment every year from hunting, sports shooting and fishing.

In February 2023, using lead shot ammunition in wetlands became illegal in all 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Norway, and Lichtenstein. The organisers said that, lead shot consists of tiny round bullets that spray out when fired.

The organisations insisted that today, non-toxic alternatives to lead exist that are both effective and affordable, such as steel shot, copper ammunition and tungsten weights.

Click here for the petition in English: Ban Lead Now

Click here for more information in Maltese about this campaign.

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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