Evidence lead
I have been reading numerous articles about how we must phase out lead ammunition. I believe that we must all be more environmentally aware, however, there appears to be little scientific evidence of any actual harm to human or animal populations from lead shot. The report published by the Lead Ammunition Group stated that in Europe three million-plus waterbirds were estimated to suffer a sub-lethal effect and a million might die. No mention of how many dead birds have been collected by scientists, picked up by bird spotters or found floating along the tide line by wildfowlers. The secretary of state reviewed the report in July 2016 and commented on the “lack of evidence of effects on wild birds”.
I understand that Norway and Sweden have recently reversed their ban on the use of lead ammunition due to a lack of evidence that it is causing harm.
My wife and I have been eating game shot with lead on a weekly basis for the past 30 years and, so far, we have remained healthy. I am sure there must be some scientific research available with actual findings rather than a series of ‘maybes’ or ‘likelies’?
N Tempest, via email