Use of the Ramsar Convention’s definition of wetlands in the proposal to restrict the use of lead shot for hunting on wetlands

18.8.2020

Priority question for written answer P-004575/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Álvaro Amaro (PPE)

We note the answer to question E-002271/2020 and in particular the Commission’s confirmation that ‘any area temporarily covered by water is a wetland, independently of its size’, which is not referred to in the Ramsar Convention. However, we would like to seek further clarity on the proposed use of the Ramsar Convention’s definition of wetlands in the proposal to restrict the use of lead shot for hunting on wetlands:

• 1.Can the Commission clarify whether an arable field covered in snow equates to an ‘area temporarily covered by water, independently of its size’?
• 2.Given that a small temporary pool of water (about 1 m ² ) on an otherwise dry forest road equates to a wetland, does the Commission understand that a body of water such as this may not be apparent to a hunter while they are hunting in the forest with lead shot, but within a 100 m buffer zone of this area temporarily covered by water?
• 3.Does the Commission recognise that for the purposes of this restriction, clear guidance for Member States would be helpful in interpreting what wetlands are?