BirdLife welcomes global decision to phase out all lead-based ammunition Malta

BirdLife Malta today welcomed the global decision made by the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) to phase out the use of all lead-based ammunition by 2017.

Lead is highly toxic to birds, and at high concentration can cause mortality through poisoning. Such poisoning can be either primary through direct shooting, or secondary through the ingestion of shots; and with lead being a relatively stable metal, complete decomposition can take up to hundreds of years.

“The discharge of lead-based ammunition substantially increases environmental lead levels. Given that Malta has the highest number of hunters per square kilometre in Europe, the need for change here is paramount,” Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta’s Conservation Manager said.

“This is a fantastic decision made by the CMS, and we congratulate them on such as positive outcome for migratory birds,” he added.

Both the effects of lead on human health and on the poisoning of migratory bird species have been the main drivers for reduction in environmental contamination by Lead.

“With the full cooperation of the parties, not only will bird mortality levels decrease, the dangers of lead poisoning to people will be reduced, so this decision to move to non-toxic ammunition will benefit both birds and humans,” Barbara said.

The European Commission has estimated the change from lead-based ammunition to alternatives would correspond to an annual increment of €13 per hunter, however as these alternatives become more readily available, the costs will decrease over time.

The CMS, of which Malta has been a member since 2000, is asking all parties to report their progress on this global agreement at the COP12 conference in 2017.

“We’re looking forward to working with the government on this, and we hope to see full cooperation from all organizations currently practicing the use of lead ammunition”.