Voluntary removal of lead footage in the UK had almost no impact according to a reportwith 99.5% of slaughtered poultry found to contain toxic metals.
While other industries have been forced to phase out lead gradually, with the material banned in paints and fuels decades ago, shooters are still allowed to use it despite the fact it can Poisonous soil and wild animals.
In 2020, British Shooting and Conservation Association announced that they, along with other shooting groups, want to phase out lead use by 2025 and urge members to begin the transition.
But scientists from University of Cambridge Nothing has changed since this ambition was raised. Their study last year found that 99.4% of recovered pheasants contained lead. This year, the amount has increased slightly to 99.5%.
The study, published in the journal Conservation Evidence, said: “We found that 99.5% of the 215 pheasants recovered from handgun bullets were killed using lead ammunition. We conclude that the joint statement of shooting and rural organizations, and two years of their considerable efforts in education, awareness and promotion, have not yet had a detectable effect on these types of firearms. Ammo used by hunters supplying pheasants to the British game market. ”
Scientists obtained 336 oven-roasted whole or carcass from 70 properties of various types, and at least one shrapnel and/or shrapnel recovered since 215. Chemical analysis later found that of the 215 tablets analyzed, lead was the main element in 214.
Wild Justice, a wildlife advocacy group, said “12 months from now the shooting industry is still not making progress. All talk! The UK governments should just ban the use of lead bullets rather than let this charade go on”.
Research by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust shows that between 50,000 and 100,000 wildfowl die in the UK each year from ingesting lead from used pellets.
Although highly toxic, pellets are often mistaken for food by wild chickens. More than 200,000 to 400,000 birds are affected for welfare or health, and wildfowl predators may also be affected.
Some shooters complain that steel is harder to use, because it’s lighter, spreads less, and has denser firing patterns, leads to less errors in gun handling and trigger time. Others are concerned that guns are older cannot be used safely with steel shot, which means they will have to buy a new one.
The government is currently considering a plan to ban leadand Waitrose announced in 2019 that it will not stock game meat shot with a lead.
Adrian Blackmore, director of cinematography at Countryside Alliance, said: “Countryside Alliance remains committed to voluntary transition from lead and single-use plastic to all handgun direct fire operations by 2025. I’m only two years away from five – transitional years; The time when we have to live with the Covid pandemic. Cartridge manufacturers also commit to this. However, the industry has been under immense pressure due to global logistics supply chain disruptions and cargo shortages due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.”
