This is a subscriber-only article
The Irish Government is supporting a ban on lead ammunition, which would render up to 100,000 farmer-owned guns defunct.
The European Commission wants to apply the ban in and around wetlands in member states over wildlife concerns. Ireland’s topography means much of this country is currently categorised as “wetlands”.
Guns using lead ammunition would have to be sent to England for a costly upgrade to comply with new ammunition guidelines.
Green Party Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Byrne has been pushing to extend the two-year transition period the Commission has proposed, but has come in for criticism over the Government’s support for the ban.
‘Huge cost’
Member states were due to vote on the ban last week, but the vote was delayed. Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has called on the Government to vote no on the ban until consultation is carried out.
Carthy said it would add a huge cost to farmers, who account for an estimated 100,000 guns in the country.
The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has come out fiercely against the ban.
SHARING OPTIONS: