UK trade body lends experience on lead

The UK Angling Trades Association (ATA) has used its knowledge of lead fishing weight bans as part of a wider discussion about possible further restrictions on the substance.

It joined others in the first round-table discussion on the use of lead in fishing tackle, arranged by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to enable key stakeholders in the European tackle trade to highlight key information for the forthcoming consultation possible lead restrictions in angling.

During the meeting the ATA was able to give its views on the assumptions being made by ECHA and the drivers and barriers for substituting lead in angling as well as its concerns about aspects of the data contained in previous reports.

ATA chairman Andrew Race explained: “Unlike other stakeholders, the ATA is uniquely placed to advise on the effects of lead replacement having been involved in processes behind the UK small size lead ban in 1986.

“That ban identified and resolved key issues surrounding wading birds and environment. It achieved a lot of what ECHA is looking to affect and it would make sense for them to enact the same restrictions across Europe as an initial step to catch up with the UK process.”

He added: “Correctly imposed, a UK-style ban would be easily introduced and policed. Substitute products are already available and in conjunction with the proper awareness programme, both anglers and angling trade will acclimatise quickly.

“The good news is that the ATA can have an input and affect the overall process. We still have the opportunity to engage in the future consultation process with ECHA and there is plenty of scope to achieve a result that achieves both socio-economic and environmental goals for angling.”