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Hunting

EU bans lead shot bird hunting in wetlands

Bird hunting with lead shot is now banned in all EU wetlands. One million waterfowl died annually from lead poisoning.

Editorial Wild beim Wild — 15 February 2023

1 million waterfowl die annually from lead poisoning

The shooting of birds with lead shot is banned in all wetlands of the European Union. The law applies to all 27 EU member states as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Every year, 44’000 tonnes of lead enter the environment in the EU.

«This is a major step,» said Barbara Herrero of BirdLife Europe. «Despite the ban on lead in paints and virtually all other materials, it was still permitted to poison our shared environment.»

Also a risk for humans

Game shot with lead pellets also poses a risk to humans, as it can damage the developing brain and nervous system. More on the topic of hunting legislation, environment and nature conservation and animal welfare issues of hobby hunting.

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More on the topic of hobby hunting: In our dossier on hunting we compile fact checks, analyses and background reports.

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