Hazards Of Lead To Birds

Scientists revealed that about 100,000 wetland birds are killed every year from lead poisoning.

16:38 01 December 2015

Scientists from the University of Oxford have found that discarded lead ammunition kills about 100,000 wetland birds every year. They say that there is now enough evidence to ban the use of lead ammunition in the United Kingdom.

 

The report is composed of research papers on lead ammunition that were conducted last year. It includes findings from studies carried out by university academics and by conservation groups called the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust and the RSPB.

 

Ruth Cromie from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust told BBC News: "A lot of people are ignoring [the regulations]."

 

"And even where the law is being obeyed, it's possible for water birds to be exposed to legally deposited lead, so the issue is that the law isn't protecting birds from lead poisoning."

 

However, shooting organisations in the UK said that banning the use of lead is not appropriate.

 

Christopher Graffius from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation said: "We have already reduced the amount of lead being released into the environment.

"And when it comes to human health, there are risk management procedures [in place]; a ban would be a knee-jerk response - it's not proportionate."

 

"People who eat wild game regularly, particularly young children, are at risk of some adverse effects. It could affect their mental development."