The European Food Safety Authority about a potential risk to a major lead market

The European Food Safety Authority has released a new report on non-wetland uses of lead in ammunition (gunshot and bullets) and in fishing weights. It has found sufficient evidence of risk to justify additional restrictions in the EU, where 5,000 tonnes of lead are currently dispersed into wetlands due to hunting, while other shooting activities such as lead gunshot used in non-wetland areas spreads a further 14,000 tonnes of lead into the environment, and the use of lead bullets and fishing weights adds to this quantity. In addition, between 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes of lead are used in sports shooting activities. EFSA – a key EU agency – wants restrictions on how this lead can be used, reducing sales.