The sooner lead shot goes the way of leaded fuel, the better for Mayo nature

COUNTRYFILE

IN any given year, on average (and who can possibly know the near truth?), a million ducks, geese, swans and other water birds die from poisoning after ingesting lead shot.

These birds need some kind of grit in either their gizzard or their crop, which acts as an aid to the digestive process.

As they pick this grit up, any lead shot that has landed in the water is likely to be hidden among it.

The birds grind the lead, it gets into their bloodstream, and sickness and death is sure to follow.

Lest we should think the amount of lead entering the environment in this way to be minimal, Birdwatch Ireland estimates that across the European Union alone some 4,000 tonnes of lead ends up in waterways each year.

Now the use of lead in ammunition for hunting over and around waterways has been banned.

Nor is it just the EU that has taken this step. Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein have all followed suit, and the expectation is that other countries will do the same.

It will now be an offense to even carry lead shot within 100 meters of 'areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres'.

When a waterbird sickens or dies after ingesting lead it will likely be eaten by some kind of scavenger.

Birds or animals that feed on poisoned carcases will also be poisoning themselves. Birds of prey are likely to be among those species most affected.

So much work has been done to reintroduce white-tailed and golden eagles to this country that it would be nothing short of shameful to put these (or any other species) at risk.

Some wildlife groups have been campaigning to stop the use of lead shot for 20 years.

As difficult as it has been to get the law changed, we can expect further difficulties in getting it upheld.

Once the hunters and shooters have been properly trained it will be the turn of anglers.

It is still possible to buy lead shot for angling purposes, although lead-free alternatives are freely available, even if they are a little more expensive.

It is worth it, though, isn't it? If only to keep our rivers and lakes lead-free for the sake of our families and friends.

Any added protection for wildlife is also welcomed. Perhaps as this ban is implemented we shall start to see an increase in the flocks of migratory wildfowl that come here for the winter.

There will likely be no discernible advantage in the immediate future, for the number of cartridges containing lead shot already in the hands of shooting men is going to be considerable, as is the amount of lead already lying within reach of wildfowl.

Still, every step is a step in the right direction. As an example, in our modern world we wouldn't dream of adding lead to petrol, yet at one time every nation in the world was doing that very thing.

Despite scientists warning of the dangers for decades beforehand, it wasn't until 1986 that Japan became the first country in the world to ban leaded fuel. In the year 2000 Ireland added its name to the growing list of countries that considered this too dangerous to remain in use. Algeria was the last country to implement a ban, doing so in 2021.

Now we have a world free from leaded fuel – a small but significant victory for environmental campaigners. We see what can be done.

The sooner lead shot goes the way of leaded fuel the better for us all.