EU lead ammunition restriction proposals revised

At a recent meeting of the EU REACH committee, Member States agreed to drop a ban on lead bullets and introduce a 7-year transition period before lead shot restrictions take effect in the EU and Northern Ireland.

Following 18 months of negotiation EU Member States have secured significant amendments to the European Commission’s original lead ban proposals.

There will be no restrictions on the use of lead bullets, lead slugs and lead airgun pellets for hunting and outdoor target shooting. The use of lead ammunition can continue at indoor shooting ranges.

For lead shot the transition period has been extended from three to seven years before general restrictions take effect for hunting and outdoor target shooting. Lead shot can continue to be used by muzzle loaders, breech-loading guns, and modern replicas.

There will also be an exemption for continued use of lead shot by active members of recognised federations at outdoor ranges that meet meeting risk management measures, this exemption being subject to review after 10 years.

The military and police are exempt from any lead ammunition restrictions.

What happens next?

The revised proposals now enter a three-month scrutiny period in the European Parliament and Council. Given the extent of changes already agreed by Member States, it is unlikely that there will be successful objections.

These changes reflect wider EU political priorities, notably defence and security considerations.

Most of the key policy recommendations put forward by the European Federation for Shooting and Conservation (FACE) have been reflected in the final proposal, resulting in a more proportionate and practical approach for Europe’s hunting community.

A working group of FACE members chaired by BASC helped coordinate briefings by national hunting associations to their governments on the negative impact of the proposals.

What about the UK?

The EU restrictions on lead ammunition will apply to Northern Ireland (NI) as a result of the NI protocol, which means that NI is subject to the EU REACH Regulations.

England, Wales and Scotland are subject to the UK REACH regulations and lead ammunition restrictions are due to take effect in a phased timetable between 2028 and 2029.

The current government is unlikely to introduce new legislation to align the EU and GB lead ammunition restrictions.

Non-lead ammunition and cartridges are expected to remain available to the UK market, reducing the risk of supply constraints as domestic demand increases.

Game shot with lead and exported before 2029 is less likely to face the same market access challenges that could arise if importing countries had already transitioned fully away from lead.