HL Deb 23 July 1991 vol 531 cc49-50WA
The Viscount of Falkland

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a representative of the Department of the Environment or their scientific advisors attended the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau Workshop on Lead Poisoning in Waterfowl held in Brussels on 13th-15th June 1991; what were the conclusions of that meeting; and whether they will act on any such conclusions.

Baroness Blatch

The workshop was attended by representatives of the Department of the Environment and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The main conclusions were that lead deposition from gunshot causes significant mortality worldwide for many bird species, particularly those associated with wetland habitats, and that the only realistic solution is to introduce non-toxic gunshot. Officials of the department are to meet shooting, conservation and gun trade representatives to discuss the matter. We shall then be able to decide what action should be taken.