EU decision-makers ignore call of 60,000+ citizens to completely ban lead ammunition

Today, the EU REACH Committee met to discuss a revised version of the lead restriction proposal, put forward by the European Commission. This new text significantly weakens the draft restriction on lead in ammunition by removing lead bullets from the scope of the measure. The Commission’s proposal disregards the scientific consensus and the clear public demand for stronger action.

The amendment comes as the #BanLeadNow petition [1] closes, having gathered more than 60,000 signatures from citizens across Europe. Led by BirdLife Europe, RSPB and WWT, the initiative mobilised concerned citizens, calling for an immediate ban on lead in all ammunition and fishing weights, and to take swift action against the thousands of tonnes of toxic lead still dispersed in Europe’s environment each year. In addition, a recent survey [2] by EuroGroup for Animals also found that seven in ten EU citizens support the ban on lead.

Marion Bessol, Nature Conservation Policy Officer at BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, said: “Removing bullets from the proposal is not just shortsighted: it is a dangerous decision that turns a blind eye to the proven risks to human health and wildlife. The claim that a civilian ban would affect the military is cynical fearmongering, as the original proposal [3] already gave ample flexibility to ensure defence preparedness and avoid economic disruption. We now urge Member States to adopt a robust restriction that will truly protect citizens and the environment.”

Lead bullets used in hunting are a disproportionate and preventable source of lead exposure. Scientific evidence shows that fragments from lead ammunition can contaminate game meat consumed by families, posing risks particularly to children and pregnant women [4]. Lead ammunition also continues to poison wildlife, including some of Europe’s most iconic and threatened species: every year, over one million birds die because of lead poisoning [5].

Momentum for transition is growing across sectors. Public health professionals, scientists, and conservation organisations are calling for a shift to non-toxic alternatives, increasingly joined by many hunters and fishers. A recent open letter [6] signed by leading European scientists underscores that viable alternatives are widely available and that continued use of lead ammunition poses unnecessary risks to human health and biodiversity. Some countries have already acknowledged these threats by adopting restriction on both lead shot and bullets, including Denmark [7] and more recently the United Kingdom [8].

The responsibility now lies with EU decision-makers to uphold scientific evidence and public desire by delivering a strong and effective restriction on lead without further delay.

ENDS.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
[1] #BanLeadNow petition: https://banleadnow.com/get-involved/
[2] “Public opinion on lead ammunition and fishing tackle” – survey: https://savanta.com/knowledge-centre/press-and-polls/animal-welfare-poll-in-eu-member-states-2026-eurogroup-for-animals-3-february-2026/ & https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/library/public-opinion-lead-ammunition-and-fishing-tackle
[3] The initial proposal already allowed the continued production of lead bullets with a permanent derogation for their use at outdoor shooting ranges, meaning the restriction would have mainly applied to hunting. With hunting bullets accounting for a very small fraction of production (134 tonnes a year compared to 42 000 tonnes for sports shooting), restricting them would not create significant profit losses for ammunition manufacturers or impact military supply.
[4] Effects of lead on people: https://banleadnow.com/impact-on-people/
[5] Effects of lead on wildlife: https://banleadnow.com/impact-on-wildlife/
[6] Open letter from European scientists: https://europeanscientists.eu/
[7] https://banleadnow.com/case-study/denmark-leading-the-way/
[8] https://banleadnow.com/news/major-win-for-great-britain-lead-ammunition-will-be-banned-in-outdoor-shooting/  

Picture by Ben Porter