A huge step towards ending the suffering of millions of waterbirds from lead poisoning has been taken following two historic votes to ban lead shot in and around wetlands. The first vote was made by EU Committee REACH, set up to specifically deal with chemical hazards. A total of 18 countries, which made up 90% of the votes, voted in support of the ban for a greener, healthier future for the environment, wildlife and people. Read more here

The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety have now rejected an objection to the restriction which will now head to all MEPs at the European Parliament for final scrutiny before becoming law.

© Paul Marshall