Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus is facing growing pressure to support a proposed EU ban on lead in hunting cartridges and fishing weights, as environmental groups urge the government to back the measure under the bloc’s REACH framework.
EU REACH framework and ECHA role
REACH Regulation is the EU’s regulatory system for managing chemical risks, aimed at protecting human health and the environment, promoting safer alternatives and reducing animal testing. The framework applies to chemical substances used in everyday products and requires companies that manufacture or import more than one tonne annually to register safety data with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Under REACH, chemical substances are assessed for their properties and risks, enabling EU authorities to impose restrictions on hazardous materials where necessary.
Health risks linked to lead exposure
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that poses serious health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women. In hunting, lead pellets can contaminate game meat, creating potential exposure to harmful lead levels for an estimated 13.8 million Europeans, including around 1.1 million children. Exposure to lead has been linked to impaired brain development, damage to the nervous system and increased cardiovascular risks.
Alternatives and positions cited by campaigners
Non-toxic alternatives, such as steel shot, are already available. Denmark and the United Kingdom have introduced limits on lead ammunition without significantly affecting hunting practices. Local environmental groups say Cyprus should fully support the proposed EU-wide restriction to safeguard wildlife, ecosystems and public health, warning that partial measures would be insufficient.
How do you think Cyprus should respond to the proposed EU restriction on lead in hunting and fishing equipment?