EU to ban lead in ammunition

It seems that EU is very near to banning lead in shot, bullets and fishing weights.

There are two steps towards that going on now.

1) Apparently, EU commission will soon make an adjustment to a Regulation, banning the shooting and possession of lead shot ammunition, nearer than 400 meters to "wetland". This could be a matter of days.

I believe this is the draft for the change to the Regulation:
https://news.wko.at/news/oesterreich/Annex-lead-in-gunshot-in-wetlands_FINAL.pdf

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[20]. Doing either of the following acts after [Publications office -please fill in the date that is 18 months from date of entry into forceof this amending Regulation] in or within 400 metres of wetlands is prohibited:

(a)discharging gunshot containing a concentration of lead (expressed as metal) equal to or greater than 1% by weight;
(b)being in possession of any such gunshot where this occurs while out wetland shooting or as part of going wetlandshooting.

For the purposes of the first subparagraph:
(a)an area is considered to be within 400 metres of wetlands if it lies within 400 metres outward from any outer boundary point of awetland;
(b)‘wetland shooting’ means shooting in or within 400 metres of wetlands;
(c)if a person is found in possession of gunshot in or within 400 metres of wetlands while out shooting or as part of going shooting, the shooting concerned shall be presumed to be wetland shooting unless that person can demonstrate that itwas someother type ofshooting.

The restriction contained in the first subparagraph shall not apply in a Member State if that Member State notifiesthe Commission in accordance with paragraph [21] that it intends to make use of the option granted by that paragraph.

[21]. If at least 20% in total of the territory, excluding the territorial waters, of a Member State are wetlands,that Member State may, in place of the restriction in the first subparagraph of paragraph [20], prohibit the following acts throughout the whole of its territory from [Publications office -please fill in the date that is 36 months from entry into force of this amending Regulation]:
(a) the placing on the market of gunshot containing a concentration of lead (expressed as metal) equal to or greater than 1% by weight;
(b) the dischargingof any such gunshot;
(c)the being in possession of any such gunshot while out shooting or as part of going shooting.

Any Member State intending to make use of the option granted by the first subparagraph shall notify the Commission of this intention by [Publications office -please fill in the date that is 6 months from entry into force of this amending Regulation]. The Member State shall send a copy of the national measures adopted by it to the Commission without delay and in any event by [Publications office -please fill in the datethat is 30months from entry into forceof this amending Regulation]. The Commission shall make publicly available without delay any such notices of intentionand copies of national measures received by it.

[22]. For the purposes of paragraphs [20] and [21]:
(a) “wetlands” means areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or
artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres;
(b) “gunshot” means pellets used or intended for use in a single charge or cartridge in a shotgun;
(c) “shotgun” means a smooth-bore gun, excluding airguns;
(d)“shooting” means shooting with a shotgun and includes any form of hunting with a shotgun;
(e) in determining whether a person found with gunshot is in possessionof gunshot “as part of going shooting”i)regard shall be had to all the circumstances of the case; (ii)the person found with the gunshot need not necessarily be the same person as the person shooting.’.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Continuing with the second step that is more drastic, also banning bullets:

2) EU Commission has requested the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to "prepare a restriction proposal on the placing on the market and use of lead in ammunition (gunshot and bullets) and of lead in fishing tackle...
https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10...t_en.pdf/f607c957-807a-3b7c-07ae-01151001d939

ECHA has put out a call for evidence "to collect information to assess the impacts of a possible restriction on the placing on the market and use of lead in ammunition (gunshot and bullets) and fishing tackle."
https://echa.europa.eu/calls-for-comments-and-evidence/-/substance-rev/24001/term

Deadline for this phase is 16 December 2019.

They must have been listening to the loony leftards in Corruptifornicate. Iidiocracy on an international scale.

Another good reason for the Poms to get on with Brexit. Maybe more European countries should ditch the EU bureaucrats/activists. Going to monometal projectiles may not be an answer as most free cutting copper or brass alloys contain 2% lead for machineability. The proposed EU limit is 1%.

Hunter4752001 said:

Another good reason for the Poms to get on with Brexit. Maybe more European countries should ditch the EU bureaucrats/activists. Going to monometal projectiles may not be an answer as most free cutting copper or brass alloys contain 2% lead for machineability. The proposed EU limit is 1%.

Click to expand...

Most of European politicians are so "politically correct" and "environmental friendly" that it really does not matter wether you are in the EU or not.

By the way, the Brits are facing a possible ban on importation of trophies, so our fellow hunters are not any better for being out of the EU, if and when that happens.

They want to outlaw lead ammo all together, not just for hunting. And they want to do so based on dislike and prejudice not science.

Elemental lead is not very toxic to humans....(unless traveling at a high speed.) I understand outlawing lead in shotshells near wetlands, but to outlaw bullets made of lead or lead alloys is just another attack on shooters. ... FWB

Not based on scientific evidence? A first! Geezzzzz.

They know copper and brass need 2% for workability. That's why the devious bastards set the limit at 1%. It will effectively totally ban ammo of any kind unless manufacturers figure a way to work pure copper into ammo.

Newboomer said:

They know copper and brass need 2% for workability. That's why the devious bastards set the limit at 1%. It will effectively totally ban ammo of any kind unless manufacturers figure a way to work pure copper into ammo.

Click to expand...

Titanium!

I believe the U.S. army has switched to lead free 5.56 ammo. But the marines still use the standard ss109 or a 62 grain trophy bonded bear claw.
I have no first hand knowledge, I’ve just read articles. I’m sure someone here will know.

In my part of the world, it is hard to find a place where you are more than 400 meters from
"marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres"

From what I have heard, that one (concerning shotgun ammunition) will be decided next week.

The one that includes bullets will probably take longer to push through.

Rumour is that the "lead anywhere near wetland" ban is back on the drafting board, and will be back in decision making in February 2020.
- Too much negative feedback?
- Tying it in with the more general ban of lead?
- Something else?

I don't hunt water fowl or other small game with a shotgun. But I seem to remember that lead shot has been banned from the marshes and other water fowl hunting areas for years in the U.S. Bismuth and steel shot as I recall are a poor substitute as neither carry nearly as far.

Bismuth is also a byproduct of lead mining.

Here, hunting waterfowl is already banned with lead. This would extend the prohibition to a much larger area. Effectively covering most of the country.

Lead prohibition for rifles and pistols would put affected shooting sports beyond the means of most people.

All shot most be lead free whilst hunting in the Netherlands. Bullets and slugs may contain lead. There already are a lot of lead free bullets on the market in Europe. Whilst it is annoying it is not overcomeable.

If you only hunt, the cost might be bearable. If you practice a lot, or do shooting for sport, the cost will be prohibitive. Not sure if all guns will function and be accurate with lighter or longer bullets. My 45ACP pistol likes 230gr bullets.

perttime said:

If you only hunt, the cost might be bearable. If you practice a lot, or do shooting for sport, the cost will be prohibitive. Not sure if all guns will function and be accurate with lighter or longer bullets. My 45ACP pistol likes 230gr bullets.

Click to expand...

True.. I thought it was only for hunting. If it is also for sport shooters it will be the end for most people to enjoy their sport.