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The current proposals on the table for lead gunshot are disproportionate and unenforceable, according to Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher.
Kelleher will be one of the shadow rapporteurs on the lead gunshot over wetlands objection which will be debated in the coming months.
Common sense sadly is not that common in the European Commission
A member of the centrist Renew Europe group, Mr Kelleher was appointed as the shadow following his lodging of a formal objection to the European Commission proposals that would effectively write off the use of lead gunshot in Ireland.
“I’m delighted with this appointment as it will give me a direct role in developing the resolution that will be put before all members of the European Parliament.
“It’s important to say that I am not against the phased elimination of lead gunshot, but under the current Commission proposals it would be a disaster for farmers and gun sports enthusiasts in Ireland,” he said.
Clause
He said the current proposals contain a clause that would criminalise a farmer for just carrying lead gunshot near water.
“The Commission didn’t look at the practicalities of countries such as Ireland. How they can develop a proposal that categorises a puddle forming in a field as a wetland, then introduce a 100m buffer zone around it, and still think it makes sense is beyond me.
"Common sense sadly is not that common in the European Commission.
“Many of my colleagues in the Renew Europe group, and indeed across the parliament, are strongly opposed to this regulation as currently written. The Commission needs to go back to the drawing board and start again.
“I hope other Irish colleagues will do the right thing and join me in voting in favour of the objection when it is debated in the ENVI Committee and finally in a full plenary vote later this year,” Kelleher said.
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