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European Parliament bans lead in gunshots
The proposed rules would prohibit the use of lead gunshot for hunting and sport shooting throughout the EU, including in areas outside wetlands following a seven-year transition period
8 October 2026, 7:10pm
Matthew Farrugia
Matthew Farrugia
2 min read
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The new rules would extend the restrictions to other environments and would also cover the European Economic Area and Northern Ireland
The European Parliament has voted in favour of allowing an EU ban on lead gunshot to proceed towards final adoption.
The proposed rules would prohibit the use of lead gunshot for hunting and sport shooting throughout the EU, including in areas outside wetlands. The ban would be introduced following a seven-year transition period.
Members of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Patriots for Europe (PfE) groups had submitted two objections to the European Commission's proposal. One of the objections was rejected earlier this week by the Parliament's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, while both were defeated during Thursday's vote.
According to BirdLife, more than 44,000 tonnes of lead enter Europe's environment each year as a result of hunting, sport shooting and fishing. The organisation said this pollution contaminates both soil and waterways.
BirdLife noted that lead has already been phased out of products such as petrol, paint and pipes because of its toxic effects.
The new rules would extend the restrictions to other environments and would also cover the European Economic Area and Northern Ireland.
BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana described the ban as a move that has ended years of debate on one of the most persistent forms of lead poisoning in Europe.
BirdLife described the latest decision as part of wider European efforts to reduce lead pollution from hunting, shooting and fishing. The vote follows an earlier decision by the European Parliament to introduce restrictions on lead used in fishing tackle.
The organisation estimates that lead pollution poses a threat to at least 92 bird species and is responsible for around one million bird deaths each year. It said the proposed restrictions could help protect approximately 135 million birds that are vulnerable to lead poisoning, while also reducing potential exposure to lead among around one million children in the EU.
The organisation said researchers have documented the damaging effects of lead exposure on wildlife and humans for more than 30 years and stressed that there is no known safe level of lead exposure.
Under the proposed rules, the seven-year transition period would give hunters and sport shooters time to switch to non-toxic alternatives. National authorities would then be responsible for ensuring that the restrictions are effectively implemented and enforced.
Matthew Farrugia is a journalist at MaltaToday
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