Did you know that it’s estimated that up to 100,000 wildfowl die each year by ingesting lead ammunition, left on the ground after shooting?
Lead is toxic, which is why it’s been removed from paint and petrol, but it’s still used in shooting and at least 2,000 tonnes of lead pellets are left scattered across fields every year. Our wildfowl often mistake the pellets for food or grit, and thereby eat a poison. You can watch a video from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust [WWT] to find out more, and perhaps sign this WWT petition asking for a ban on using lead shot.
WWT stresses that this issue isn’t about being either anti or pro hunting. Rather, it’s about pollution killing birds, when it’s unnecessary because non-toxic alternatives to lead are available. WWT’s position is that because voluntary measures and partial regulations on using lead haven’t worked, it wants lead phased out fully by the end of 2017.
We have followed this story over the years, and know that some groups have reservations about moving away from the use of lead shot, but we don’t really understand what the problem is. Anyone know?