
Lead ammunition restrictions – your questions answered
Read our answers to frequently asked questions about the planned lead ammunition legislation and what it means for shotgun, rifle and airgun shooters.
Get information on the legal shooting season for mammals and birds in the UK.
Apply for funding for your project or make a donation today
Comprehensive information and advice from our specialist firearms team.
Everything you need to know about shotgun, rifle and airgun ammunition.
Find our up-to-date information, advice and links to government resources.
Everything you need to know on firearms law and licensing.
All the latest news and advice on general licences and how they affect you.
ASC is supporting its European hunting partners to ensure the proposals to introduce legislation which further restricts the use of lead ammunition around wetlands is not taken forward by the European Commission later this month.
The draft legislation put forward for debate on 23 June will see unification across the EU and EEA countries, including Norway and Iceland on the use of lead shot over wetlands. Proposals to be debated include banning the use of lead shot over all wetlands including peatlands, a ban on the use of lead shot within 100m of wetlands, and a vague ban on the possession of lead shot when shooting on or within 100m of wetlands.
The legislation is part of a European programme to assess and limit the use of toxic substances.
Dr Conor O’Gorman, BASC’s head of policy and campaigns, said: “BASC opposes these proposals as being overly restrictive and precautionary and we are working hard to see them significantly dampened.
“As the UK is currently in the transition phase of leaving the European Union, further EU restrictions on lead ammunition will impact us and we have limited lobbying power because our MEPs have already left their positions. However, as secretariat of the European Hunting Federation (FACE) Ammunition Working Group we are working closely with associations across Europe to fight against the unworkable proposals.
“While focus remains on ensuring a smooth voluntary transition away from the use of lead shot for live quarry over the next five years in the UK, we are battling against strong forces from Europe that want to see a larger ban enacted in a much shorter period of time.”
For more updates and more information visit www.basc.org.uk/lead
Read our answers to frequently asked questions about the planned lead ammunition legislation and what it means for shotgun, rifle and airgun shooters.
This is a five-year transition not a one-year solution, says BASC.
Read a summary of BASC’s response to the UK REACH consultation on proposed restrictions for the outdoor use of lead ammunition.