Decisions 15.146 to 15.149 - Preventing Poisoning of Migratory Birds
Avian Species Conservation Issues
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Decision directed to: Parties
Parties are encouraged to:
a) undertake national review and monitoring exercises to encourage implementation of the phase-out of all types of lead ammunition and lead fishing weights, and in doing so:
i. review, in light of the scientific evidence of the harms caused by lead ammunition and fishing weights to wildlife and the wider environment, the provisions and effectiveness of implementation of their legal instruments (legislation and policies) that regulate the use of lead ammunition and lead fishing weights, and modify these or introduce additional measures where necessary to restrict use of lead in ammunition and fishing weights;
ii. actively facilitate and support the development and availability of expanded product ranges of non-toxic alternative to lead ammunition and fishing weights, including through the innovative use of economic measures;
iii. implement ongoing national-level monitoring and collate and analyze information on shooting activities, ammunition use across different areas and over time, and compliance with any restrictions and map this information against at-risk migratory bird habitats to determine likely affected areas and scale of impacts;
iv. share information on progress made on activities i. and ii. above, and the information collated from activities iii. and iv. with the Secretariat for use by the Intergovernmental Task Force on Phasing Out the Use of Lead Ammunition and Lead Fishing Weights (Lead Task Force);
b) nominate representatives to the Lead Task Force;
c) take active measures to implement the recommendations set out in UNEP/CMS/COP11/Doc.23.1.2 Annex 2 to substitute lead ammunition and fishing weights for non-toxic alternatives;
d) enhance and continue efforts to prevent poisoning of migratory birds to contribute to achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Decision directed to: Parties, IGOs & NGOs, Others
Parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and donors are encouraged to provide financial support for:
a) an analysis of the current impacts and hotspots of poisoning of migratory wildlife;
b) an update of the Guidelines to Prevent the Risk of Poisoning to Migratory Birds (UNEP/CMS/COP11/Doc.23.1.2 Annex 2);
c) meetings of the Lead Task Force and the production of communication outputs linked to priority areas/flyways;
d) Regional workshops of interested vulture range states with priority given to Asia in collaboration with the Raptors MOU Coordinating Unit and WOAH to progress national implementation of existing mandates in restricting veterinary use of NSAIDs including development of guidelines on how to regulate NSAIDs in line with Resolution 11.15 (Rev.COP15).
Decision directed to: Scientific Council
The Scientific Council is requested, subject to the availability of resources, to provide feedback and inputs to relevant draft outputs produced under Decision 15.149 d) and e).
Decision directed to: Secretariat
The Secretariat shall, subject to the availability of resources:
a) appoint a Coordinator of the Intergovernmental Task Force on Phasing Out the Use of Lead Ammunition and Lead Fishing Weights (Lead Task Force) for the triennium 2026-2029, in collaboration with Parties, and request Parties through a notification to nominate representatives for the Task Force, and convene the first meeting as early as possible after COP15;
b) provide guidance to Parties on the implementation of Decision 15.146 a), including through a notification;
c) collate the information provided by Parties in response to Decision 15.146 a) through the Lead Task Force, and, based on this information, determine the efficacy of regulations, and develop guidance on the steps and procedures to adjust or develop legislation for a complete phase-out of the use of lead ammunition and lead fishing weights in all habitats, in line with the Guidelines to Prevent the Risk of Poisoning to Migratory Birds (UNEP/CMS/COP11/Doc.23.1.2 Annex 2; the Guidelines), and existing information on alternatives;
d) to help guide decisions on the future of the work, and nature, of the Preventing Poisoning Working Group, including consideration of whether to extend its scope to other relevant CMS taxa affected by poisons, prepare an analysis on the current impacts and hotspots of poisoning of migratory wildlife, including a mapping exercise that identifies the geographic areas and types of poisons already addressed by existing CMS instruments, as well as gaps and links to existing structures and instruments providing recommendations on CMS institutional frameworks to facilitate appropriate action to prevent further poisoning;
e) prepare an update of the Guidelines, in close cooperation with relevant CMS instruments, other MEAs and other relevant international organizations;
f) organize regional workshops of interested vulture range states with priority given to Asia in collaboration with the Raptors MOU Coordinating Unit and WOAH to progress national implementation of existing mandates in restricting veterinary use of NSAIDs including development of guidelines on how to regulate NSAIDs in line with Resolution 11.15 (Rev.COP15).