On 18 February 2020, a discussion took place between FACE and the EU Environment Committee (ENVI) on the use of lead ammunition in hunting.
FACE has summarized its position on lead in ammunition in a few specific points.
– Accepts the phase-out of lead hunting in wetlands.
– He states that to date, 23 Member States have progressively eliminated the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands, in line with the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds Agreement (AEWA). The various EU Member States have followed the philosophy of developing their own regulations, commensurate with the actual risk, and clearly understandable for both hunters and the police forces responsible for enforcing compliance.
– FACE, on the other hand, strongly opposes the current EC proposal introducing fixed buffer zones around wetlands (which were not recommended by ECHA). This proposal also contains a vague ban on the possession of lead shot, making hunters guilty even if they aren't explicitly using it. Furthermore, the proposed definition of a wetland, which is decidedly too broad, absolutely needs to be revised. This is also to avoid misinterpretation by hunters and law enforcement agencies.
