Luxembourg government wants to ban lead
Sten Ritterfeld, Unsplash
In a response to parliamentary enquiry No. 1756 of 10 January 2025, Luxembourg's Minister of Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, confirmed that the government supports a complete ban on lead in hunting ammunition and fishing accessories.
The move is in line with the position of the European Union Chemicals Agency (ECHA), whose expert committees (on risk and socio-economic analysis) have recommended banning the use of lead because of its toxic effects on the environment and human health.
The draft European restrictions have not yet been presented to the EU countries, but are expected to be discussed soon at the REACH committee meeting (the EU's chemicals management mechanism). Luxembourg plans to push for the most stringent version of the restrictions to minimise pollution.
Lead ammunition and fishing gear are a source of poisoning water bodies, soil and wildlife. They are particularly dangerous to waterfowl, which ingest lead by mistaking it for pebbles. Lead also enters food chains, endangering human health.
Luxembourg has taken a clear environmental stance, calling for strict measures to regulate lead use in Europe. If the ban is approved, it will be a significant step towards environmentally friendly hunting and fishing in the EU.
