Interested in risk assessment? New report published on Lead Ammunition, Wildlife and Human Health

Yesterday saw the Secretary of State for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirm that despite the Lead Ammunition Group’s report “Lead Ammunition, Wildlife and Human Health” recommending a ban on the use of lead shot that there would be no change in policy. Nor would there be a change to the Foods Standards Agency (FSA) 2012 advice that ‘To minimise the risk of lead intake, people who frequently eat lead-shot game, particularly small game, should cut down their consumption. This advice is especially important for vulnerable groups such as toddlers and children, pregnant women and women trying for a baby.’ Although consideration would be given to the issues of poor compliance with the Lead Shot Regulations and whether more publicity is required to raise awareness of the FSA advice amongst the at-risk population.

The report, which was prepared for the DEFRA and the FSA can be downloaded from http://www.leadammunitiongroup.org.uk/reports/ together with the Secretary of State for DEFRA’s response.