Farmers could be forced to replace up to 100,000 guns if an EU vote to ban lead ammunition is passed.
The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has warned that the cost of decommissioning and replacing guns could cost farmers in the region of €70m.
Lead ammunition is toxic for animals and wildlife and the ban would come into force on land designated as “wetland”.
However, NARGC chair Dan Curley pointed out that the definition of wetlands can include peatlands and floodplains which cover up to 80% of Ireland.
The regulation won’t work for Ireland
“The member states have to send in their vote by 15 July,” Curley told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“The regulation won’t work for Ireland, but we’re concerned because it looks like the vote is running very tight at the moment.
“We want the Government to ensure that voting is open and transparent and not kept behind closed doors.”
The Health and Safety Authority is understood to be in charge of Ireland’s vote and has drafted in the National Parks and Wildlife Service to liaise on the matter.
The NARGC estimates half of the 200,000 licensed guns in Ireland are used by farmers and landowners.
Re-proofing guns
More modern guns would have to be shipped to the UK for re-proofing at a cost of around €300 each, the NARGC calculated.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) says that toxic lead can contaminate game meat, animals that inadvertently eat pieces of ammunition and water.
It maintains that steel can replace lead in shotgun cartridges and that shotguns manufactured after 1970 can switch to normal steel without any re-proofing.
However, the NARGC believes that gun certification would be required by insurers and health and safety legislation.
Read more
Marts want social distancing rule reduced to 1m
Farmer views: what Minister Cowen and the Government need to do
Farmers could be forced to replace up to 100,000 guns if an EU vote to ban lead ammunition is passed.
The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has warned that the cost of decommissioning and replacing guns could cost farmers in the region of €70m.
Lead ammunition is toxic for animals and wildlife and the ban would come into force on land designated as “wetland”.
However, NARGC chair Dan Curley pointed out that the definition of wetlands can include peatlands and floodplains which cover up to 80% of Ireland.
The regulation won’t work for Ireland
“The member states have to send in their vote by 15 July,” Curley told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“The regulation won’t work for Ireland, but we’re concerned because it looks like the vote is running very tight at the moment.
“We want the Government to ensure that voting is open and transparent and not kept behind closed doors.”
The Health and Safety Authority is understood to be in charge of Ireland’s vote and has drafted in the National Parks and Wildlife Service to liaise on the matter.
The NARGC estimates half of the 200,000 licensed guns in Ireland are used by farmers and landowners.
Re-proofing guns
More modern guns would have to be shipped to the UK for re-proofing at a cost of around €300 each, the NARGC calculated.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) says that toxic lead can contaminate game meat, animals that inadvertently eat pieces of ammunition and water.
It maintains that steel can replace lead in shotgun cartridges and that shotguns manufactured after 1970 can switch to normal steel without any re-proofing.
However, the NARGC believes that gun certification would be required by insurers and health and safety legislation.
Read more
Marts want social distancing rule reduced to 1m
Farmer views: what Minister Cowen and the Government need to do
SHARING OPTIONS