The European Commission, on a proposal from environmentalists, is evaluating the progressive elimination of hunting ammunition containing lead shot.
"The Commission is closely monitoring the progressive elimination of the use of lead shot in wetlands to protect birds from poisoning." This is the response of the EU Commissioner for the Environment Janez Poto? Nik to the question presented by Andrea Zanoni, MEP IdV, on the dangerous use of hunting ammunition containing lead.
Zanoni had asked the European Commission to consider banning these ammunition in all 27 EU countries for the dangerous environmental consequences, animal protection and also the health of those who consume animals hunted in this way. “First of all, as confirmed by a large scientific literature, the lead contained in these ammunition represents a serious threat to numerous species of necrophagous birds of prey”, attacks Zanoni.
“In Italy, for example, we have the Egyptian vulture, the monk vulture and the griffon vulture, very rare species protected by EU directives and international conventions. Raptors that prey on animals injured with this type of shot are also at risk ”, continues the MEP. “Without forgetting that lead itself constitutes a non-negligible source of environmental contamination".
The Commission reports to Zanoni that "323 Member States have already taken measures to ban the use of lead ammunition in wetlands or who are considering doing so ". This is also because "the European Union and most of the Member States are contracting parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA - Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds)".
As regards the environmental risk linked to the lead contained in these ammunition, Commissioner Poto? Nik replied that the Soil Directive “does not mention hunting methods” in the list of sites to be rehabilitated that the Member States will have to draw up. "However, Member States are free to consider this type of activity when transposing the directive." “I hope that Italy will consider the possibility of including hunting and its tools of death in the dangers that threaten the environment in which we all live every day”, comments Zanoni.
As for lead poisoning for those who eat game shot with this ammunition, the MEP says he is very worried. "There is a large scientific literature that indisputably demonstrates the risks of these substances for human health, especially for the most vulnerable subjects such as incite women and children".
Also the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in March 2010 adopted a scientific opinion on the presence of lead in food. "The Commission is currently engaged in the detailed analysis of this scientific opinion", says Poto? Nik.
"I hope that the European Commission will also come to the conclusion as soon as possible that the lead contained in these ammunition, in addition to threatening numerous bird species and polluting, is a serious threat to our health - concludes the environmental leader - Lead ammunition must be banned as soon as possible in all 27 EU countries".
Source: Parliamentary Agency