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Rare bird populations at risk of lead shot poisoning
The report notes particular concern about the impact of lead poisoning on the common pochard population.

Lead Ammunition Group publishes latest Update Report

Up to 400,000 wildfowl in the UK every year are thought to suffer from the effects of lead poisoning, according to a new report.

The report, compiled by the Lead Ammunition Group (LAG), suggests that lead poisoning may be affecting populations of freshwater duck, grey partridge, common buzzard and red kite. It also notes particular concern for the globally-threatened common pochard.

“Declining or recovering populations appear most sensitive to the effects of poisoning,” the report adds.

According to the British Association for Shooting & Conservation, at least 600,000 people in the UK go shooting every year. Many of these people use lead bullets to shoot, which disperse as they leave the barrel and drop to the ground. Birds then eat the particles, mistaking them for grit which they require for digestion.

Its latest Update Report, LAG cites several studies that confirm many types of non-lead bullets are effective, widely available and safer to the environment than lead ammunition. It adds that partial bans on lead ammunition, that cover only certain taxa or habitats, have proven to be ineffective.

Several international agreements have adopted Resolutions calling for governments to phase out lead ammunititon, or work towards this goal. These include the UN Convention on Migratory Species, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the United Nations Environment Programme Assembly.

In 2016, mindful that lead-contaminated game can also enter the human food chain, Forest Enterprise England asked its staff to use non-lead ammunition for deer and boar culling.

"There appears to be international scientific consensus on the wildlife and human health risks associated with the use of lead ammunition and the need for a transition to non-lead alternatives; the remaining barriers are largely socio-political,” the report concludes.

LAG was established by Defra in 2010 following concerns about the impacts of lead ammunition on the health of wildlife and people. Comprising key stockholder and experts, the group explores possible solutions and advises the government accordingly.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.