On Tuesday 24 November, the European Parliament voted in favour of banning the firing of lead ammunition into wetlands beginning in 2 years time under the REACH Regulation, as proposed by the European Commission and finally accepted by Member State experts last September (see EUROPE 12593/37, 12552/9).
Parliament’s vote concerned an objection tabled by the Conservative Group (ECR) to this proposal to allow the hunt to continue.
This group was defeated, as the objection was rejected by 362 votes (292 in favour, 39 abstentions).
“We did it. The shooting of lead ammunition in wetlands will be a criminal offence from 2022. Relying on the voluntary compliance and foresight of many hunting enthusiasts was doomed to failure”, said Martin Häusling MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany) in a statement.
He recalled that the EU and its Member States are required to ban lead ammunition in wetlands under the International Agreement on the Conservation of Waterbirds, which has been in force since 1999.
Another draft objection, this time from the ID Group, was due to be voted on Wednesday evening, but was no more likely to be approved. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)