On February 16, the European Commission banned the use of lead shots in wetlands throughout the bloc (Guardian). Many European countries had already made using lead shots in wetlands illegal prior to the ban, but not all. While Denmark banned the use of lead shots on any land, Ireland and Poland have not passed any restrictions on the use of lead shots in wetlands or elsewhere (UNEP, Guardian). 

Four thousand tons of lead are estimated to be shot in wetlands annually (BirdLife International). Meanwhile, approximately one million European waterbirds die each year of lead poisoning (Guardian). This contamination is understood to occur as waterbirds ingest the shots, mistaking them for food or grit. Predators and scavengers that feed on the birds are poisoned by the lead toxins, which then spread throughout the ecosystem. 

Under the new ban, hunters are required to use non-toxic ammunition, such as steel or bismuth, in or within 100 meters of all wetlands in the European Union. The new bloc-wide restriction is being praised for “harmoni[zing] the national legislation,” and bringing those countries that had been lagging on this front up to par (Guardian). With the ban now adopted everywhere in the bloc, environmentalists are turning their attention to ensuring compliance and enforcement.