BASC’s position on UK REACH lead ammunition restriction proposals
Read our stance on the lead ammunition restriction proposals in England, Wales and Scotland, plus guidance on having your say through the public consultation.
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.
Leading shooting and rural organisations have today announced they want an end to the use of lead and single-use plastics in shotgun ammunition for live quarry shooting within five years.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), British Game Alliance (BGA), Countryside Alliance (CA), Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO), The Moorland Association (MA), Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) and The Scottish Association for Country Sports (SACS) say significant recent advances in technology have enabled the transition to take place.
The group is calling for the support of the wider shooting community and says such a change will benefit wildlife and the environment while also safeguarding the growing market for healthy game meat.
A spokesperson said: “The shooting community must maintain its place at the forefront of conservation and environmental protection. Continued development of non-lead shot and recyclable and biodegradable plastics means the time is right for a complete transition.
“The five-year proposal allows for a smooth transition giving both the shooting community and the industry time to adapt. As organisations that serve our members, we will be leading the way with this transition ensuring that it is successful.
“This is a significant announcement, but one the shooting community should not fear. British wildfowlers and other European countries have already moved away from lead without detriment to participation or performance.
“While tradition is important in shooting and should be defended where possible, so is evolution if we are to continue to maintain our position at the heart of the British countryside. Shooting has changed greatly over the years and this move is just the next step in that illustrious history.
“Our organisations urge the shooting community to support the Gun Trade Association and cartridge manufacturers as they further develop ammunition for every situation involving live quarry. In doing so, they will enhance the shooting community’s reputation as the rightful custodians of our countryside.”
Quotes from individual organisations:
Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said: “This important announcement is a major step in ensuring the long term sustainability of shooting, and it is a step we are taking together.
“Unity is incredibly powerful, and to make such a joint statement with every major rural and game shooting organisation, demonstrates what a strong community we are.”
CLA deputy president Mark Tufnell said: “The phased transition away from lead and single-use plastics in shotgun ammunition in live quarry shooting will make the environment a better place and will help develop the market for game.
“The length of time given for this proposal will give farmers, landowners and cartridge manufacturers the right time to adapt.”
NGO chairman Liam Bell said: “The shooting community must act as one to maintain its place at the forefront of wildlife conservation. Sustainability in all our practices is of the utmost importance and weaknesses must be addressed. Where we can make changes and improvements, we must, or regulation will follow as night follows day.”
Moorland Association director Amanda Anderson said: “Precious moorland managed by our members makes an important contribution to combating climate change and protecting very special landscapes and wildlife. We believe this decision to phase out the use of lead shot is consistent with our unshakeable commitment to the environment.”
BASC’s executive director of conservation Caroline Bedell said: “Ballistic developments of lead shot alternatives have come on leaps and bounds, this five year transition will set down a challenge to the shooting community, organisations and manufacturers, but also provides time to develop a route forward for a sustainable future for shooting.”
Read our stance on the lead ammunition restriction proposals in England, Wales and Scotland, plus guidance on having your say through the public consultation.
Neil Morrison examines the ballistic properties of steel shot and advises how to get the best results when using it to shoot wildfowl.
The Health and Safety Executive has requested an extension to the timeline for the final stage of its lead ammunition review in England, Wales and Scotland.
Sign up to our weekly newsletter and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox.
© 2024 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.
If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
More information about our Cookie Policy