BASC respond to cartridge companies' joint statement on lead

The lead shot saga continues, as BASC respond to UK cartridge companies' accusation that they were not consulted. In their statement, issued on Friday 28th February, senior representatives of Eley Hawk, Hull, Gamebore and Lyalvale Express stated that "BASC and their fellow organisations had NO consultation with the UK cartridge manufacturers prior to the announcement being made."

MORE: The cartridge manufacturers' statement in full

However, BASC's latest statement appears appears to contest this assertion, stating: 

The cartridge manufacturers were consulted before the publication by the shooting organisations of their initial joint statement on the proposed five-year transition to sustainable, non-lead ammunition.

Representatives of shooting organisations were in contact with cartridge manufacturers at meetings where that proposed joint statement by the shooting organisations was discussed. A copy of that statement was given to cartridge companies in advance and they had the opportunity to comment.

The statemement, which was published on Monday 2nd March, also draws attention to the fact that in January a representative of one of the cartridge manufacturers gave evidence to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Shooting and Conservation on alternatives to lead shot. It also notes that the Gun Trade Association - among whose members are the above named cartridge manufacturers - contributed material on alternatives to lead shot that accompanied the original joint statmement from the shooting organisations.

MORE: Nine shooting and rural organisations call for a phasing out of lead shot for live quarry