Adopting the proposal to restrict the use of lead issued by the European Chemicals Agency as it stands would mean a setback for the environmental protection of shooting ranges in Finland, and would significantly jeopardise the future of shooting sports. One out of eight Finns are engaged in shooting sports, and hunters are one part of this large group. 

Lead restriction endangers the opportunities for shooting sports

24.06.2021 12:16
Adopting the proposal to restrict the use of lead issued by the European Chemicals Agency as it stands would mean a setback for the environmental protection of shooting ranges in Finland, and would significantly jeopardise the future of shooting sports. One out of eight Finns are engaged in shooting sports, and hunters are one part of this large group. 

The main problems with the restriction proposal are the lack of understanding of how the transfer of lead can be managed. The proposal also fails to take into account the measures based on scientific research. which are in accordance with best available techniques and which can already be used to prevent the transfer of lead from shooting range structures into the soil.

In order to illustrate the importance of shooting ranges, the basic principles of environmental protection and lead management methods, the Finnish Hunters' Association has prepared a video on shooting ranges together with the Finnish Shooting Sport Federation and other actors in the shooting sports. It aims to explain the importance of shooting ranges not only to the Chemicals Agency but also to everyone else. The lead restriction proposal would mean that in most shooting ranges, training would end completely or that the costs of maintaining ranges would increase dramatically, thereby making training more difficult and less frequent.

(Choose the english subtitles pressing subtitles/tekstitys)

The aim of the Chemicals Agency’s proposal for a lead restriction is to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of lead. This must be possible without reducing the opportunities for shooting sports and hunting. These objectives can only be achieved at the same time when decisions on the use of lead are taken on the basis of risk assessments specific to particular shooting ranges, with local conditions taken into account.
 

 

Questions? Don´t hesitate to contact

Jussi Partanen
Jussi Partanen
metsästysampumapäällikkö
+358 40 845 1572