6. WHAT'S NEXT?

A first overview on the outcomes of this exercise was presented by FACE at the Second Meeting of the AEWA Technical Committee, held 5-7 November 2001 in the Carmargue, France. Under the agenda item "Report on the Non-toxic Shot Workshop", Wetlands International first presented a brief overview on its recently published update report, followed by a presentation given by FACE on the Workshop in Romania. The AEWA Secretariat and the participants welcomed the initiatives taken by AEWA and FACE and also the improved co-operation between these two organisations. The AEWA Secretariat suggested to the Technical Committee to organise another workshop targeting the Southern European Countries. This workshop will be held in Italy in early 2003, in co-operation with national and international hunting organisations.

In summary, at the Camargue meeting the following steps were agreed to be taken: 

• Establishment a body under the AEWA umbrella, to secure international co-operation to achieve the objective of phasing out lead shot. In this body the main stakeholders should be represented: FACE, CIC, Wetlands International, BirdLife International, CIP, manufacturers, etc.
• Collection of information in countries where the scale of incidence of lead poisoning is still unknown. This can be done by using the extensive network built up by Wetlands International to gather the data for the 2000 update report. FACE and CIC can address their hunter’s network.
• Developing guidelines, based on existing experience, to address the steps that can be taken towards the phasing out of lead shot, in particular of developing countries and those with economies in transition
• In addition, raising awareness about the problem and possible solutions among user groups and decision makers
• Educating and training of hunters in practice in the effective use of non-toxic alternatives
• Standardising product description, including safety features, by cartridge manufacturers
• Creating incentives for introducing non-toxic shot alternatives; encouraging the local manufacture and encouraging the further development of effective non-toxic shot

  For more information please contact the Secretariat.

"I believe that the problem will eventually be solved in Eastern Europe as well. It is already on the authorities' task list, but it might need some extra time." 

Gergely Torda, Authority for Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Environment, Hungary

The AEWA Technical Committee met in Tanzania on 26-28 May 2002. The lead poisoning issue was one of the agenda items and in particular a draft Resolution on this issue to be submitted to the Second Meeting of the Parties in Bonn, Germany, 25-27 September 2002, was discussed. This draft Resolution proposes, among other things, to continue the process of phasing out lead shot. Also, the draft Resolution proposes actions to ensure communication and co-operation, particularly concerning the exchange of expertise, logistics and finances.

Back to the Introduction Page on on Lead Poisoning