Lead in outdoor shooting and fishing: SEAC agrees draft opinion

The Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) has today agreed its draft opinion on restricting the use of lead in ammunition for hunting, outdoor sports shooting and in fishing. A 60-day consultation on the opinion opens for everyone on 29 June.

Helsinki, 3 June 2022 – SEAC agreed its draft opinion on the costs and benefits of this proposal for society. It supports the proposed restriction and considers it to be appropriate to address the identified risks and to ensure a consistent level of protection for people and the environment across the EU. However, the committee suggests some modifications. In some areas, SEAC will need more information to conclude on the potential impacts of the restriction.

In its draft opinion, the committee highlights:

• Shorter transition period for using lead gunshot for hunting: SEAC considers that the transition period could be shorter, for example, 18 months instead of five years. SEAC finds that there is not enough evidence indicating that increasing the production volumes of alternative ammunition would require five years. Also, hunting with gunshot significantly contributes to the risks arising from lead. To draw a conclusion on the impacts of a shorter transition period, SEAC will ask for further information in the consultation. 
• Labelling of ammunition and fishing sinkers containing lead and information to consumers at point of sale: SEAC agrees with the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) that the same concentration threshold of 1 % weight by weight (w/w) used for restricting the use and placing on the market of lead ammunition should also apply to the labelling and information requirements. SEAC points out that the threshold in the restriction of lead gunshot in or around wetlands is also 1 % w/w.
• Derogation for lead gunshot in sports shooting: SEAC considers that if a derogation for lead gunshot in sports shooting is preferred by the decision maker, it should be limited to shot sizes used in sports shooting, according to the Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse/International Shooting Sport Federation (FITASC/ISSF) rules. This means shot sizes between 1.9 and 2.6 mm. The aim is to retain the advantages of a ban on placing on the market of lead gunshot as much as possible.

In addition, SEAC considers that the impacts of including some uses, for example, lead sinkers and lures >50 g and lead split shots, need to be further assessed to conclude whether a derogation would be justified on socio-economic grounds. Any information on these will be appreciated during the consultation.

ECHA has updated its initial proposal to reflect the input received during the six-month consultation that ended on 24 September 2021. The key updates are explained in the Q&A document. The updated proposal, called a background document, will be available on 29 June when the consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion starts.

RAC adopted its opinion on the same restriction proposal on 31 May 2022.

What next?

After the 60-day consultation, SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion in December 2022. The opinions of both committees (RAC and SEAC) will be sent to the European Commission at the start of 2023.

The decisions on REACH restrictions are taken by the European Commission together with the EU countries, and scrutinised by the Council and the European Parliament.

Background

In February 2021, ECHA made a proposal for EU-wide restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition for hunting and outdoor sports shooting, as well as in fishing. ECHA estimates that at least 135 million birds are currently at risk of lead poisoning each year from ingesting spent lead gunshot. Additionally, 14 million birds are at risk from eating animals hunted with lead ammunition and 7 million from ingesting lead fishing tackle.

Spent lead ammunition from sports shooting can contaminate soil and water in and around ranges. People are directly exposed to lead, for example, through eating game meat hunted with lead ammunition.

If adopted, the restriction could reduce lead emissions by 72 % compared to a situation without a restriction. This would prevent the poisoning of wildlife, including many endangered species, and reduce exposure of 1.1 million children as well as pregnant women.

The restriction proposal was developed at the request of the European Commission. A potential regulation on lead in these activities is in line with the EU’s Green Deal, its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the action plan on zero pollution for water, air and soil.

Military uses of lead ammunition, along with other non-civilian uses such as by police, security and customs forces, are outside of the scope of the restriction proposal. Indoor uses of lead ammunition are also excluded.