A necessary clarification
In the imminence of the general start of hunting activity for the 2023-2024 season, it appears necessary to provide the hunters from the Marche region useful clarifications for the correct interpretation of the provisions of EU Regulation 57/2021 on the use and transport of ammunition (ball and pellets) in and near wetlands. Regarding the application of the Commission Regulation in force from 15 February 2023, having identified many pieces of news which undoubtedly generate doubts and confusion among hunters, in view of the general opening of the hunting season on Sunday 17 September it was deemed appropriate to provide an element of clarity .
Prohibited Activities
Below is what is reported in the European Union Regulation, which we remind has direct legal effect, with the following provisions. The following activities are prohibited within wetlands or no further than 100 meters from them:
(a) fire ammunition containing a lead concentration (expressed as metal) equal to or greater than 1% by weight;
b) carry ammunition of this type with you when carrying out shooting activities in wet areas, going to carry out shooting activities in wet areas or returning after carrying out such activity.
Other clarifications
It is clarified that:
– "wet areas" are defined as: surfaces of marshes, marshes and peat bogs or natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, bodies of water, in which the water is stagnant or flowing, fresh, brackish or salty, including bodies of sea water whose depth does not exceed six meters at low tide;
– 'no further than 100 metres' means within 100 meters of any external boundary of a wetland;
– carrying out 'shooting activities in a wetland' means shooting within a wetland or no further than 100 meters from it;
– a person caught in the act of carrying ammunition with them (having on or with them or transporting by other means) within a wetland or no further than 100 meters from it when carrying out shooting activities, is going to carry out shooting activities shooting or returning after carrying out such activity is considered to carry out shooting activity in a wetland, unless it can demonstrate that it is another shooting activity;
– to establish whether a person found with ammunition carries such ammunition with him 'in the context of carrying out shooting activities': all the circumstances of the case must be taken into account; the person who is found with the ammunition does not necessarily have to be the same person carrying out the shooting activity.
While waiting for national legislative developments that could modify all or part of the content of the European Regulation, this is currently what is in force (source: Marche Region).