The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has called on Irish MEPs to oppose a vote this week that would force farmers to replace their guns at considerable personal expense.

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.

Problematic

“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,” Dan Curley, chair of the NARGC, said.

“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.”