Lead ammunition in Austria: A call for a ban
Approximately 30 tonnes of lead ammunition are left behind in Austrian forests and fields each year as a result of hunting, according to current calculations by Tierschutz Austria.
These residues have serious consequences for wildlife and the environment.
In total, approximately 100 tonnes of lead ammunition are sold per year in Austria. The citizens' initiative for a federal hunting law demands a complete phase-out of lead ammunition.
Lead as a deadly threat to birds: millions of animals affected
The widespread use of lead ammunition poses a particular threat to birdlife. In the EU, over 157 million birds are at risk from lead poisoning each year, with thousands dying directly as a result. Waterfowl such as ducks and swans swallow the tiny lead pellets from shotgun cartridges, ingesting them alongside grit stones for digestion. Even a single pellet (a single shotgun cartridge contains an average of 200 pellets) can kill a small waterfowl. Birds of prey and scavengers such as eagles, vultures and other raptors are also affected, as they feed on prey or carcasses contaminated with bullet fragments left behind by hunters.
Once ingested, lead rapidly enters the animals' bloodstream, causing severe damage. Convulsions, paralysis, inability to fly, as well as nerve damage and organ failure frequently lead to an agonising death. Studies show that the populations of ten raptor species in Europe are today at least six percent smaller than they would be without lead contamination. As a result, over 55,000 birds of prey are missing from the skies of Europe.
In addition to the serious impact on wildlife, lead ammunition also poses a danger to human health. Game meat from animals killed with lead ammunition can be heavily contaminated. The tiny lead particles penetrate deep into the flesh and can barely be removed. When consumed, they can cause considerable health damage, particularly in children and pregnant women. Even small amounts of lead are sufficient to damage the nervous system and cause irreversible cognitive deficits.
Calls for a ban: sustainably eliminating lead ammunition from nature
To counter this threat, organizations such as Tierschutz Austria and the Verein gegen Tierfabriken are demanding a comprehensive ban on lead ammunition. They advocate for a new, uniform federal hunting law that would completely prohibit the use of lead ammunition. Austria's Federal Forests and all eco-hunters already use lead-free ammunition, demonstrating that a more animal-friendly and sustainable hunting practice is possible.
Only a strict ban on lead ammunition can effectively reduce lead contamination in nature and protect the health of humans and animals in the long term. Tierschutz Austria is therefore calling on animal lovers to submit declarations of support for the citizens' initiative for a federal hunting law at local municipal offices or online using ID Austria. More information at: https://bundesjagdgesetz.at/
