EU moves closer to banning lead fishing tackle after Parliament backs restrictions
The European Parliament has rejected an attempt to block new restrictions on lead fishing tackle, paving the way for an EU-wide ban on the sale of many lead weights and lures in a move welcomed by conservation organisations.
The European Union is a step closer to banning lead fishing tackle after Members of the European Parliament voted against an attempt to derail new restrictions aimed at reducing lead pollution in the environment.
The vote means the proposed restrictions are now expected to come into force in the coming weeks, introducing a phased ban on the sale of lead fishing tackle weighing less than one kilogram.
Conservation groups, including BirdLife International, have welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant milestone for wildlife, public health and aquatic ecosystems.
The objection to the restrictions had been tabled by the Patriots for Europe political group, which argued there was insufficient evidence that suitable alternatives to lead tackle were widely available or that the proposed measures were necessary. MEPs rejected the objection by a substantial majority, allowing the legislation to proceed.
According to BirdLife International, around 4,800 tonnes of lead from fishing tackle enter Europe's environment every year. Lead is a highly toxic metal that accumulates in wetlands, rivers and lakes, where it can poison wildlife directly or enter food chains.
Waterbirds are particularly vulnerable because many species accidentally swallow lost lead weights and sinkers while feeding, mistaking them for grit or small stones used to grind food in the gizzard. Ingested lead can cause severe poisoning and death.
The new restrictions will ban the sale of lead fishing tackle weighing under one kilogram, with transition periods ranging from six months to five years depending on the type of equipment. The rules will also prohibit the use of these lead weights in commercial fishing.
However, BirdLife International has highlighted what it describes as a significant loophole. While new sales will be restricted, the legislation does not prohibit recreational anglers from continuing to use existing lead tackle they already own. As recreational fishing is considered the largest source of lead tackle entering the environment, the organisation argues that much of the pollution could continue unless individual member states introduce tougher national measures.
The organisation is now urging governments across the EU to go further by banning the use of lead tackle in recreational fishing as well as its sale.
The decision follows earlier support for the proposal from EU member states and marks another step in the bloc's wider efforts to phase out the use of lead in products that pose risks to wildlife and human health. Separate proposals to restrict lead ammunition are also expected to come before the European Parliament in the coming months.
July 2026
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