CIC Workshop Report Sustainable Hunting Ammunition

75 Pages·2010·4.08 MB·English

CIC Workshop Report
Sustainable Hunting Ammunition

© Niels Kanstrup

Sustainable Hunting Ammunition
Workshop Report, CIC Workshop, Aarhus, Denmark 5-7 November 2009
The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC). 28 March 2010.
Editor: Niels Kanstrup (contact: [email protected])
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1. Content
1. Content .............................................................................................................................................. 2
2. Background ....................................................................................................................................... 3
3. (cid:8220)Sustainable or non-toxic hunting ammunition(cid:8221) ............................................................................ 3
4. Lead (cid:8211) a toxic heavy metal............................................................................................................... 4
4.1 Workshop Position Statement: Flowchart of spent ammunition material ............................. 5
4.2 Abstract of Presentation: Evolving dimensions of lead exposure and toxicosis in fauna ..... 6
4.3 Workshop Position Statement: Lead and human health: potential hazards from exposure to
fragments of lead ammunition in the tissues of game animals ............................................... 9
4.4 Abstract of Presentation: Lead shot ingestion rates in Argentina avifauna ......................... 11
4.5 Slides of presentation: Lead bullets (cid:8211) the risk of intoxication of birds of prey ................... 15
4.6 Slides of Presentation: Lead bullets (cid:8211) the disposal in tissue depending on bullet types. .... 19
4.7 Abstract of Presentation: Birds hunted with lead shot are contaminating humans ............. 23
4.8 Abstract of presentation: Human health and lead regulations in EU/member states .......... 27
4.9 Workshop Position Paper: Nontoxic Ammunition: Criteria of Nontoxicity and their
Application ............................................................................................................................... 28
4.10 Abstract of Presentation: National legislation on lead shot (cid:8211) an update ............................. 35
5. Nontoxic substitutes ....................................................................................................................... 43
5.1 Abstract of Presentation: Review of Lead Ammunition Substitutes .................................... 43
5.2 Workshop position statement: Aspects of lethality, safety and training .............................. 47
5.3 Workshop Position Statement: Ammunition Manufacturers ................................................ 49
5.4 Workshop Position Statement: Marketing and Availability of Nontoxic Shot Am. ........... 51
6. The way forward ............................................................................................................................. 53
6.1 Abstract of Presentation: How to communicate the issue ..................................................... 53
6.2 Abstract of Presentation: Pitfalls Encountered in the Transition to Non-lead Ammunition
Use in North America and How They Were/Are Being Addressed. ............................................... 54
6.3 Abstract of Presentation: 25 years(cid:8217) experience of hunting without lead shot in Denmark . 58
6.4 Workshop Position Statement: The Way Forward ................................................................ 63
6.5 Workshop Position Statement: A proposed outreach project within CIC............................ 67
7. Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ 70
8. Annexes ........................................................................................................................................... 71
8.1 CIC Recommendation CICGA56.REC01 .............................................................................. 71
8.2 Workshop Resolution .............................................................................................................. 72
8.3 Workshop program .................................................................................................................. 73
8.4 Workshop participants ............................................................................................................. 75
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2. Background
The third recommendation in the CIC Resolution CICGA REC01 (Annex 8.1) passed in May 2009
required the CIC to organize a Symposium with invited scientists to explore all issues related to
lead and hunting.
As a part of this process, during the period 5 (cid:8211) 7 November 2009, a workshop entitled (cid:8220)Sustainable
hunting ammunition(cid:8221) was held at the Organic Farmers School at Kalø near Aarhus, Denmark. The
workshop was convened and financed by CIC, although additional funding for travel and other
costs was provided by the attendants(cid:8217) organizations and institutions, and private sponsors.
Twenty-one attendants from 10 different countries in The Americas and Europe participated (Annex
8.4). All were invited as experts in the field of technical and societal aspects of toxicity of lead in
hunting ammunition. The gathering was launched following the mentioned CIC recommendation,
and was a prelude to a further strategy and procedure in the CIC. The gathering was not, and was
not meant to be, a meeting of stakeholders. The outcome must therefore be regarded as an evalua-
tion by experts and not stakeholders, and reservations by attendants having their formal platform in
NGOs with a particular political interest in the issue must therefore be respected. It should be
pointed out that the scientists were entirely independent of the CIC and their recommenda-
tions are to the CIC. These recommendations are not necessarily the views of the CIC.
The workshop was structured in three main sessions: I. Aspects of the toxicity of lead as an ammu-
nition material ((cid:8220)the problem(cid:8221)), II. The variety of nontoxic substitutes ((cid:8220)the solution(cid:8221)), and III. The
way forward (with emphasis on concerns expressed by hunters, obstacles, and the need for better
communication). This structure will be used in this report, too.
A total of 14 papers were presented (see program in Annex 8.3). Three sessions were dedicated to
discussion in plenary or working groups. One session was dedicated to a field demonstration nearby
the meeting venue.
The written outcome of the workshop is twofold: A resolution (Annex 8.2) submitted to the CIC at
its Council meeting 18 November 2009 and this report, consisting of main observations and conclu-
sions in primary chapters (author: Niels Kanstrup), full presentations, abstracts or copies of slide-
shows made available by speakers, and statement-papers drafted in advance, discussed and con-
cluded during the workshop (authors indicated in subchapters).
3. (cid:8220)Sustainable or non-toxic hunting ammunition(cid:8221)
The workshop was held under the title (cid:8220)Sustainable hunting ammunition(cid:8221). The background for us-
ing this term was to initiate a criterion-based evaluation of all materials(cid:8217) potential for the production
of hunting ammunition, i.e. toxicity, safety, efficiency, and availability. However, the term revealed
several linguistic difficulties. Other terms that have been used are: (cid:8220)nontoxic substitutes(cid:8221), (cid:8220)suitable
alternatives(cid:8221), (cid:8220)non-lead(cid:8221) etc. The workshop came to a general consensus, that the term (cid:8220)nontoxic
ammunition(cid:8221) at present is the most adequate.
A general conclusion was that none of the potential materials may meet, absolutely, any of the rele-
vant criteria. Central and very relevant concerns about safety and efficiency are connected to the
firing of a shot more than to the ammunition material used. In other words, potential damage to
guns, ricochets and wounding, etc. have always been at risk. The switch-over from lead to other
materials just put these concerns in new focus, which should be regarded as a valuable side-effect.
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4. Lead (cid:8211) a toxic heavy metal
The toxicity of lead has been documented over millennia, and the particular risk of the poisonous
impact of lead ammunition spread through hunting has been well-known for over a century. The
main concern during the last decades was the particular risk posed to waterbirds ingesting lead shot.
More recently, shot ingestion by other bird taxa has become evident, just as the secondary intoxica-
tion of birds of prey and scavengers feeding on carcasses or remains of quarry killed, or wounded
with lead ammunition (shot or bullets). During very recent years emphasis has been put on the risk
of lead intoxication of humans through consumption of game meat.
A milestone in the documentation of implications for wildlife and humans of the ingestion of lead
from spent ammunition is the Proceedings from the Boise conference, May, 2008 (Watson et al)i.
All of the papers presented in this Proceedings were multiply-reviewed by experts similar to inter-
national, peer-reviewed, scientific journals.
The longstanding evidence of the non-biotic and toxic characteristics of lead, and the overwhelming
amount of new documentation of intoxication of wildlife, and not least of the risk of poisoning of
consumers, made the workshop come to three clear conclusions, presented in the Workshop Resolu-
tion paragraph 1.-3. (Annex 8.2).
A further concern, discussed during the workshop, but not addressed in the resolution, is the societal
aspects and obvious risk to the image of hunting as a consequence of the continued use of lead. This
has been addressed publically, perhaps most clearly, by the CIC President Dieter Schramm (quote):
(cid:8220)Do we really believe that the very small community of hunters can remain untouched within the
framework of the general environmental sensitivities? Do we want that? Indeed not and, conse-
quently, we as hunters have to live up to our responsibilities and seriously assist in the development
and use of alternative shots.(cid:8221)ii
Based on all these concerns related directly to the use of lead as an ammunition material, the work-
shop decided to recommend a (cid:8220)whole-way(cid:8221) strategy targeting the phase-out of lead as an ammuni-
tion material for all hunting, be that shot gun or rifle hunting, and sport target shooting. Such a
phase-out should follow a roadmap guided by the hunters(cid:8217) community and developed by CIC in
close collaboration with other stakeholders to implement the phase-in of non-toxic ammunition for
all hunting and shooting as soon as practicable. This Roadmap should include clear objectives with
timelines (Resolution point 6.).
The Workshop determined that voluntary or partial restrictions on the use of lead ammunition have
been largely ineffective and that national and international legislation is required in order to ensure
effective compliance and to create the assured market for non-toxic ammunition (Resolution point
8.).

i http://www.peregrinefund.org/Lead_conference/2008PbConf_Proceedings.htm.
ii CIC Newsletter 2007 / 4.
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4.1 Workshop Position Statement: Flowchart of spent ammunition material
Author: Niels Kanstrup
When hunting ammunition is fired the ballistic material will either be deposited in the target or in
the natural environment. Spent ammunition fragments in the internal organs of grallocked (i.e. the
discarded viscera of shot big game animals) animals or in carcasses of wounded animals may ex-
pose scavengers and/or the ecosystem directly to lead. Ammunition material deposited in the natural
ecosystem may be ingested by macro or micro fauna, vegetation or stay biologically inactive. Ma-
terial deposited in killed and bagged game may be removed during butchering or stay in the game
meat/venison and, if toxic, be a possible source of contamination of the consumer.
The flow of ammunition materials can be charted as in Figure 1. The workshop recommends this
flowchart to be adopted by the CIC in the future process of simplification and describing the poten-
tial impact of ammunition materials and the possible toxic effect on wildlife, humans and ecosys-
tems.
Figure 1. Flowchart of ballistic material from shot and bullets.
Consumer
Target Predator/scavenger
Cartridge
Ecosystem/foodchain
Habitat/soil/sediment
Birds

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4.2 Abstract of Presentation: Evolving dimensions of lead exposure and tox-
icosis in fauna
Authors: Vernon G. Thomas & Deborah J. Pain
Abstract: The common basis of lead exposure and toxicosis from ingested lead ammunition (shot
and bullets) in fauna is explained. The toxicity of ingested lead to humans has been known for over
two millennia. Large-scale lead poisoning of wildlife from ingested shot was observed first in wa-
terfowl and their avian predators. Subsequently, this awareness of lead exposure and toxicosis ex-
tended to upland game birds and their predators. Now, avian lead toxicosis is established in birds
that consume bullet fragments from the carcasses of game animals. Humans eating game generally
avoid swallowing whole shot or large fragments of shot and bullets, but recent evidence shows that
lead ammunition often fragments upon impact, leaving tiny lead particles distributed widely across
the tissues. Consequently humans consuming game killed with lead ammunition may be significant-
ly lead-exposed. Thus what was once seen as a problem of waterfowl and the birds that consume
them is now understood to be a problem for most game birds and, probably all species that consume
them, from avian scavengers and predators to humans. Lead poisoning of fauna from the ingestion
of lead from ammunition sources is a global problem that is likely to continue until a transition to
use of nontoxic substitutes has been effectively completed.
EARLY AWARENESS OF LEAD POISONING IN HUMANS
DIOSCERIDES, ~ 200BC
(cid:8220)LEAD MAKES THE MIND GIVE WAY(cid:8221)
PARACELSUS, (1493-1541)
IDENTIFIED LEAD TOXICITY IN
MINERS & METAL SMELTERS

EVOLVING DIMENSIONS OF LEAD EXPOSURE AND BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
TOXICOSIS IN FAUNA
1786
VERNON G. THOMAS
&
DEBORAH J. PAIN
(cid:8220)(cid:8230)THIS MISCHIEVOUS EFFECT OF LEAD IS AT
ARHUS, DENMARK, LEAST ABOVE 60 YEARS OLD, AND YOU WILL
NOVEMBER 5-7, 2009. OBSERVE WITH CONCERN HOW LONG A
TRUTH MAY BE KNOWN AND EXIST, BEFORE
IT IS RECEIVED AND PRACTICED ON.(cid:8221)

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1: LEAD SHOT AND WATERFOWL POISONING. THE INITIAL ISSUE
(cid:8220)IF WE WERE TO JUDGE THE INTEREST
EXCITED BY ANY MEDICAL SUBJECT BY THE
NUMBER OF WRITINGS TO WHICH IT HAS
GIVEN BIRTH, WE COULD REGARD THE
POISONING BY LEAD AS THE MOST MORTALITY IN WATERFOWL
AND PREDATORS OF
IMPORTANT TO BE KNOWN OF ALL THOSE BIRDS WOUNDED WITH
THAT HAVE BEEN TREATED OF, UP TO THE LEAD SHOT
PRESENT TIME(cid:8221) DR. FRANK BELLROSE
ORFILA, 1817
DR. GLEN SANDERSON
WHY IS LEAD TOXIC TO ANIMAL SYSTEMS?
Ca++ Pb++
THESE DISSOLVED IONS ARE OF SIMILAR
SIZE, SO LEAD REPLACES CALCIUM
IN ANIMAL TISSUES AND DISRUPTS
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES
LEAD IONS BIND TO THE ACTIVE SSITES ON
THE SURFACE OF PROTEINS AND, PREVENTS
FUNCTIONING OF CRITICAL ENZYMES,
E.G ALAD (CENTRAL TO HEMOGLOBIN
SYNTHESIS)
DR. WILLIAM ANDERSON,
S-Pb ILLINOIS NAT. HIST. SURVEY

USING NONTOXIC SHOT SAVES
WHICH PARTS OF THE BODY DOES LEAD AFFECT? WATERFOWL FROM LEAD EXPOSURE
AND DEATH
(cid:8226) NERVE (cid:8211)MUSCLE TRANSMISSION ANDERSON ET AL. 2000. J. WILD. MANAGE.64: 848
(cid:8226) NEW BLOOD CELL FORMATION INGESTION OF LEAD & NONTOXIC SHOTGUN PELLETS
BY DUCKS IN THE MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY.
(cid:8226) NORMAL BRAIN FUNCTION (BEHAVIOURS)
(cid:8226) KIDNEYS AND EXCRETION . COLLECTED 16,651 GIZZARDS IN 1996 & 1997.
(cid:8226) NORMAL LIVER FUNCTION . ANALYZED FOR 4+ SHOT
(cid:8226) IMMUNE SYSTEM . LEAD SHOT SEPARATED FROM NONTOX SHOT
(cid:8226) TOXIC EFFECTS ARE THE SAME IN ALL ANIMALS (&HUMANS)
BECAUSE THEY SHARE THE SAME PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS. RESULTS
. USE OF NONTOXIC SHOT REDUCED DEATH OF MALLARDS BY 64%
THERE MAY BE DIFFERENCES IN SENSITIVITY AMONG SPECIES AND
DIFFERENCES RELATED TO DIET, SEX AND AGE OF INDIVIDUALS. . INGESTION OF 2+ LEAD PELLETS DECLINED BY 78%
. RESULTS FOR ENTIRE USA, SAVINGS OF 1.4 MILLION DUCKS IN 1997
. COMPARE WITH THE GOAL OF 0.75 MILLION DUCKS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN
WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT PLAN AT COSTS OF >>100 M$/Y FOR HABITAT

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3: LEAD FROM BULLET FRAGMENTS CAUSES EXPOSURE AND
FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT A BAN ON LEAD SHOT TOXICITY IN CARRION FEEDERS AND HUMANS
IS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL
ISOTOPES OF LEAD USED
TO IDENTIFY SOURCE
OF LEAD IN BODY PYRENEES
USA: SAMUEL & BOWER 2000. J. WILD MANAGE 64: 947
.COMPARISON OF LEAD IN BLACK DUCKS FROM 1986-88 AND 1997-99
. INCIDENCE OF HIGH BLOOD LEAD WENT FROM 11.7% TO 6.5% (44% LESS)
. EFFECT WAS MOST PRONOUNCED IN ADULT DUCKS. USA
. BAN COMMENCED IN 1991
NORTHERN
CANADA: STEVENSON ET AL. 2005. ARCH. ENV. CONTAM. TOXICOL. 48: 405 NATIVES
. COMPARED BONE LEAD LEVELS IN DUCKS FROM 1989-90 TO 2000
. MALLARD & BLACK DUCKS: 11.0 >>4.8 (cid:956)g Pb/g
. RING-NECK DUCKS: 28.0 >> 10.0 (cid:956)g Pb/g
. BAN STARTED IN 1999 LEAD FRAGMENTS IN
MEAT

2. LEAD POISONING OF UPLAND BIRDS AND THEIR
Does lead from spent gun shot in
PREDATORS:
EXTENSION OF GROWING AWARENESS OF PROBLEM
the tissues of game animals pose
a threat to human and wildlife
health in the UK?
PRIMARY EXPOSURE
SPECIES OF GAME BIRDS THAT INGEST
LEAD SHOT FROM UPLAND HABITATS
(BASED ON PUBLISHED RESEARCH)
Study by : WWT, RSPB, Aberdeen University,
SECONDARY EXPOSURE Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos
RAPTORS THAT INGEST LEAD (CSIC-UCLM)
SHOT FROM EATING WOUNDED
OR DEAD GAME BIRDS
(BASED ON PUBLISHED
RESEARCH)

Stevenson et al. 2005. Arch. Env. Contam. Toxicol. Exposure to lead in game: methods
48: 405
Bone Pb: 19(cid:956)g Pb/g (1995): 21(cid:956)g Pb/g (2000) (cid:8226) Six species of game birds were purchased, x-rayed and
(20(cid:956)g Pb is serious !!!) cooked using typical recipes. Entire shot and large
fragments removed before analysis to simulate realistic
human exposure. Chicken used as controls.
(cid:8226) A sample of shot removed were analysed for lead
Butler et al. 2005. Wild. Soc. Bull. 33: 583 (UK legislation restricts use of lead shot for shooting
Bone Pb: N = 98. Ave. 49(cid:956)g Pb/g (Range 7-445) waterbirds and/or over wetlands and one of six species
mallards).
(cid:8226) Raw tissue from game birds tissue analysed without shot
removal, realistic exposure of predatory and scavenging
Scheuhammer et al. 2003 raptors (cid:8211)data obtained from UK VMD statutory
11% of YOY in prairie Canada had >>10(cid:956)g Pb/g surveillance programme.

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4.3 Workshop Position Statement: Lead and human health: potential hazards
from exposure to fragments of lead ammunition in the tissues of game an-
imals
Authors: Debbie Pain and Rhys Green
Lead is toxic to animals and action thresholds for blood lead in humans have decreased from 60 to
10 (cid:956)g/dl over the last 50 years as knowledge of the effects of lead has increased (CDC 1975; 2005).
Recent research from the UK (Chandramouli et al. 2009) and USA (Lanphear et al. 2005) suggests
that the lead threshold for clinical concern should be further reduced (Landrigan et al. 2006). The
European Food Safety Authority is currently considering whether to reduce the Provisional Toler-
able Weekly Intake of lead. Whilst regulation has reduced many sources of lead exposure, certain
groups remain at risk due to their sensitivity or high levels of exposure to particular sources. Until
recently, exposure was considered low in humans eating game killed using lead ammunition, as
they generally avoid swallowing shot or bullets (Coburn et al. 2005). However, recent evidence
illustrates that lead bullets fragment on impact, leaving small lead particles widely distributed in
game tissues (Hunt et al. 2006; 2009). Tens of millions of gamebirds are shot in the UK each year.
Gamebird sales are increasing and they are often marketed as healthy meat option. We undertook a
study to determine whether, like bullets, lead gun shot fragments on impact, and whether lead de-
rived from spent gun shot and bullets in the tissues of game animals could pose a threat to human
health.
We obtained wild-shot gamebirds in the UK, X-rayed them to determine the number of shot and
shot fragments present, and cooked them using methods typical for each species (with supermarket-
sourced chicken as controls). We then removed shot and large shot fragments (to simulate more
realistic exposure of humans to lead in game), and determined lead concentrations. A high propor-
tion of samples (29-67%) had lead concentrations exceeding the European Union Maximum Level
(ML), defined within EU Regulation 1881/2006, of 100 ppb ww for meat from bovine animals,
sheep, pigs and poultry. Some samples exceeded the EUML by more than two orders of magnitude.
Game is not currently included within the list of foods for which MLs are defined. High but feasible
levels of consumption of some game species could result in the current FAO/WHO Provisional
Weekly Tolerable Intake (PTWI) of lead being exceeded.
The potential health hazard from lead ingested in game is larger than previously supposed. Most at
risk are vulnerable groups, such as children, and those consuming large amounts of game, such as
sports or subsistence hunters, or those making (cid:8216)ethical(cid:8217) or (cid:8216)healthy(cid:8217) food choices. We recommend
that the consumption of game is subject to comprehensive risk assessment, including consumption
patterns by high risk groups, and that game meat be included within EU Regulation 1881/2006 with
defined MLs for lead.
CDC. 1975. Increased lead absorption and lead poisoning in young children: a statement by the
Center for Disease Control. Atlanta GA: US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, CDC,
1975.
CDC. 2005.Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children. CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Chandramouli, L., Steer, C.D., Ellis, M. & Emond, A.M. 2009. Effects of early childhood lead ex-
posure on academic performance and behaviour of school age children. Arch Dis Child. Published
Online First: 21 September 2009. doi:10.1136/adc.2008.149955

Coburn, H.L., Snary, E.L., Kelly, L. A. & Wooldridge, M. 2005. Qualitative risk assessment of the
hazards and risks from wild game. Veterinary Record, 157: 321-322.

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Hunt, WG, Burnham, W, Parish, CN, Burnham, KK, Mutch, B & Oaks, JL (2006) Bullet fragments
in deer remains: Implications for lead exposure in avian scavengers. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34,
167-170.
Hunt, W.G., and R. T. Watson, J.L. Oaks, C.N. Parish, K.K. Burnham, R.L. Tucker, J.R. Belthoff,
and G. Hart. 2009. Lead bullet fragments in venison from rifle-killed deer: Potential for human die-
tary exposure. PLoS ONE 4(4): e5330. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005330.
Landrigan, P., Nordberg, M.; Lucchini, R., Nordberg ; G., Grandjean, P.; Iregren, A. and Lorenzo,
A. 2006. The Declaration of Brescia on Prevention of the Neurotoxicity of Metals Brescia, Italia 17-
18 June 2006. La Medicina del Lavoro 2006;97(6):811-4.
Lanphear, B.P., Hornung, R., Khoury, J., Yolton, K., Baghurst, P., Bellinger, D., Canfield, R.L.,
Dietrich, K.N., Bornschein, R., Greene, T., Rothenberg, S.J., Needleman, H.L., Schnaas,
L.,Wasserman, G., Graziano, J. and Roberts, R. 2005. Low-level lead exposure and children(cid:8217)s intel-
lectual function: an international pooled analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives 113:894-899.

© Niels Kanstrup

Workshop impression: Pain and Friend - solid UK and US expertise gathered.
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