Press release: EU is on track to ban lead in fishing tackle

Today, the European Parliament sided with nature and supported the restriction proposal on lead in fishing tackle. The measure is now expected to enter into force in the coming weeks.

An objection to the proposal was tabled by the Patriots for Europe (PfE Group), which falsely claimed that there was not enough evidence of the availability of alternatives and of the necessity to restrict lead fishing weights.

This was a dangerous attempt to block a measure essential for protecting wildlife, human health and the environment, but was rejected by the European Parliament, sending a clear signal of political support to ban lead in Europe.

Approximately 4.800 tonnes of lead is released into the environment annually through fishing tackle. Lead has been proven to be extremely toxic to aquatic ecosystems, causing both acute and chronic poisoning of wildlife and people.

The adopted restriction will ban the sale of lead fishing tackle below 1kg with transition periods ranging from 6 months to 5 years depending on the type of gear. It will also include a ban on the use of these fishing weights in commercial fishing.

However, the proposal does not ban the use of lead in recreational fishing, which is the main source of lead pollution. It means that most of the products already on the market can still be used in the future. This loophole can have direct impacts on wildlife and human health, if not addressed during the implementation stage at the national level. Member States must go beyond the adopted restriction and ban the use of lead for recreational fishing.

Marion Bessol, Nature Conservation Policy Officer says, “MEPs saw through a baseless attempt to derail this restriction and listened to the facts. That matters, because we’re talking about 4,800 tonnes of lead entering our environment every year, a well-documented poison that is toxic for humans and wildlife alike. But this vote is only half the job. As it stands, the recreational fishing loophole means most lead tackle already on shelves can keep being used, so Member States now have to close that gap nationally. And with the lead ammunition restriction soon heading to Parliament for scrutiny, MEPs have already shown us they know how to tell real science from political noise.”

ENDS.

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