A ban on the sale – but, crucially, not the use – of lead in fishing tackle in Europe could be just a few months away after the latest ruling by the continent’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) committee.
Restrictions on selling tackle using lead have been adopted by the committee by a small majority of member state representatives.
If the European parliament and Council agree – after a three-month period of scrutiny – the text can be formally adopted, meaning a ban could start being put into effect in around five months’ time.
The proposals – brought about following years of research by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – actually include various phases, depending on the tackle under consideration.
The largest sinkers and lures – over 50g – would be banned in five years’ time but some products could be prohibited in as little as six months.
Since the official adopted text has not yet been published (as Aspect went to press) there may be changes but the news has been given informally to the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association, which ATA works closely with.
Currently, the proposed rules, as the ATA understands, are:
● The restrictions concerns sales only, not use.
● Products concerned can legally contain up to 1% lead by weight
● Drop-in sinkers and lead wire will be banned 6 months after Entry Into Force (EIF)
● Sinkers and lures under 50g will be banned from sale three years after EIF
● Sinkers and lures above 50g to 1 kg will be banned five years after EIF
● Retailers are required to display warning labels for products containing lead during the transition periods.
Exemptions, which would be reviewed after 10 years, will allow the continued sale of lures made of copper alloys containing a concentration of lead (expressed as metal) less than 3% by weight and split shot weighing 0.06 g or less that is placed on the market in spill-proof and child-resistant packaging.
Previously the EU Commission had also proposed a ban on the use of lead fishing tackle however some member state representatives did no agree
EFTTA wants a use ban to make the sales ban effective, enforceable and to protect the EU fishing tackle businesses and consumers from illegal imports, counterfeits and homemade lead products.
As a result, EFTTA will continue lobbying the EU Council and the EU Parliament. If EFTTA does that successfully it will extend the four to five month timeline.
An EFTTA spokesman said: “EFTTA believes that restricting sales without addressing use will not deliver the intended environmental benefits.
“Without a use ban, enforcement will be limited to retailers, while recreational fishers could still import lead products privately, cast sinkers at home, or continue using existing lead tackle.
“This risks undermining the environmental objective while also creating unfair competition for companies investing in lead-free alternatives.
“A use ban would ensure consistent rules, better environmental outcomes and a level playing field for the tackle industry.”