Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
325. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position adopted concerning the EU REACH committee to ban the use of lead ammunition; the details of meetings held within his Department and between his officials and third parties; the reason an adequate public consultation process was not initiated by him in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23484/20]
View answer331. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; the role his Department had in formulating such proposals; if he supports the regulations; the measures he will take to support gun owners who may have to retrofit their shotguns at a significant cost to comply with these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24105/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 331 together.
The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) was developed under the UN Convention on Migratory Species. Ireland signed up to the Agreement in 2003. The agreement includes a commitment that “Parties shall endeavour to phase out the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands as soon as possible in accordance with self-imposed and published timetables." This is because there is slow accumulation of lead from shot in wetlands where hunting occurs. The lead is generally harmful in the environment and can also be consumed by wildfowl.
Since the Agreement was signed, the European Commission published a draft Regulation for consideration by Member States on the use of lead shot in and around wetlands following a report on the matter by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). It is understood that interested parties in Member States including hunting interests in Ireland made submissions on the matter during a Commission consultation process.
My Department held consultations with interested parties including hunting and farming interests on this matter. While Department supports the underlying thrust of the Regulations and is committed to phasing out lead shot in and around wetlands following consultation with hunting and farming interests, it did make a case for a longer lead in time to deal with transitional challenges and in that regard submitted documentation to the REACH Committee of the European Union, the forum where the Regulation is under discussion.
The issue was most recently discussed at the REACH meeting held on 3 September. Notwithstanding Ireland’s reservations on the draft Regulation in relation to the lead-in time and as we are committed to phasing out lead shot in and around wetlands, Ireland indicated at the meeting that we would support the draft Regulation which does envisage a transitional phase. A vote was taken at the meeting on the draft Regulation and it was passed by the necessary majority by Member States with Ireland voting to support the measure. The draft Regulation will now be sent to the Council and European Parliament for scrutiny for a period of 3 months.
My Department will maintain consultation with relevant interests including hunting and farming organisations in the coming period in relation to implementation of the draft Regulation should it become law.
