The National Association of Regional Games Councils (NARGC) has called on Irish MEPs to oppose a vote next week that would pave the way for costly gun replacement.

The vote entails a ban on lead ammunition in wetland areas across Europe, but due to the definition of wetlands, this encompasses much of Ireland.

The majority of guns in Ireland - some 100,000 - are only suited to use lead ammunition, which means that they would have to be replaced or altered at considerable expense.

“This proposed restriction, as has been pointed out now numerous times, will be problematic for Ireland and will cost us close to €500m to replace guns needlessly,” chair of the NARGC Dan Curley said.

Reports

“Numerous studies and reports have shown the European Commission’s alleged problem to be non-existent in Ireland. This is over the top needless EU proposed draconian legislation.

“All our MEPs should be rejecting this and doing all in their power with their European party colleagues to see that this is rejected.”

Voting on the proposal has reached the European parliament stage and the NARGC has called on the two Irish MEPs on the committee, Grace O'Sullivan from the Green Party and Independent Mick Wallace, to vote against the proposal.