Lead shot to be phased out

On Monday 24th February 2020 nine of the leading shooting and rural organisations have announced that they want the use of lead shot to be phased out for live quarry shooting over the next five years. The organisations have also called for an end to the use of single-use plastics in shotgun cartridges.

UK's shooting organisations call for an end to lead shot

A joint statement released by BASC, GWCT, Countryside Alliance, CLA, British Game Alliance, The Moorland Assoication, The National Gamekeepers' Organisation, Scottish Land and Estates, and the Scottish Association for Country Sports reads: 

In consideration of wildlife, the environment and to ensure a market for the healthiest game products, at home and abroad, we wish to see an end to both lead and single-use plastics in ammunition used by those taking all live quarry with shotguns within five years. The shooting community must maintain its place at the forefront of wildlife conservation and protection. Sustainability in our practices is of utmost importance.

The groups are collectively calling for the support of shooters, saying that the change will benefit wildlife and the environment, while also protecting the growing market for game meat, both in the UK and abroad.

MORE: Read the statement in full

A spokesperson for the organisations 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 bio-degradable plastics means the time is right for a complete transition."

Five year plan to phase out lead shot and single-use plastics

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.

Some shooters believe that the phasing out of lead shot will lead to the end of extreme high bird shooting . Photo: Sarah Farnsworth 

The statement, which has been signed by the heads of each of the groups, draws attention to the developements in the quality and availability of non-lead shotgun cartridges and the fact that plastic cartridge cases can now be recycled. The statement concludes "This is an opportunity to take the initiative and ensure the reputation of the shooting community, as custodians of the countryside, is both maintained and enhanced."

Cartridge companies respond to the call for and end to lead

Since then, representatives from four of the UK's leading cartridge manufacturers, Eley Hawk, Hull, Gamebore and Lyalvale Express, have responded to the call for a voluntary ban on lead and single use plastics in live quarry cartridges.

Their statement says that they were not consulted ahead of the announcement by the shooting organisations, reading:

Firstly, BASC and their fellow organisations had NO consultation with the UK cartridge manufacturers prior to the announcement being made.

The statement goes on to say that the alternatives to lead shot are not as viable as the organisations claim:

Limitations to performance levels of steel ammunition currently allowed in the UK mean that we are already facing tougher challenges when developing an effective steel load compared to those used overseas. Couple this with the move away from plastic wads and we are even further limited on performance. We would like to see an increase in the performance levels allowed before we can begin to develop loads effective enough to produce clean, humane kills in the various types of shooting carried out in the UK.

 

There are indeed a handful of non-lead ammunition options with biodegradable wads currently on the market however, at this stage it is simply impossible to make these commercially viable. We cannot make a complete switch over to these products within a five year period without substantial investment into the industry. BASC and its fellow organisations do not have an understanding of the manufacturing processes involved and are therefore in no position to determine the length of time required to evolve.

A choice between lead and plastic

While the statement acknowledges the need for the shooting industry to be more environmentally friendly, the cartridge manufacturers present this as a choice between eliminating lead and eliminating single-use plastics:

Right now, we need to decide which to eliminate– lead or plastic? We cannot avoid using both. At present the only commercially available options are lead shot with fibre wads, steel with plastic wads or unaffordable premium non-lead shot. Shooters and land owners will need to consider these options and then decide which option is preferable going forward.

Five year timeline is 'impossible'

The cartridge companies go on to say:

Lastly, we are committed to investing into the alternatives. Our collective goal is to develop high performance ammunition for all shotguns and gauges using sustainable materials and therefore secure the future of shooting. We simply ask that the organisations and individual shooters understand that doing this within a five year window without significant support is IMPOSSIBLE.

MORE: Read a joint statement from the UK's leading cartridge manufacturers

BASC respond to cartridge companies' statement

In the latest phase of the drama, BASC responded to the above statement, seemingly contesting the cartridge company's assertion that they were not consulted. The BASC statement reads:

The cartridge manufacturers were [our ephmasis] 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 also mentions that 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 and notes that the Gun Trade Association - which includes the cartridge companies - contributed material on alternatives to lead shot that accompanied the original joint statmement from the shooting organisations.

MORE: Read BASC's response to the cartridge manufacturers

What you told us about lead shot

In the 2019 Game Shooting Census, carried out by GunsOnPegs and Lycetts, we asked people how long they expected lead ammunition to remain legal. 34% of people thought that lead would be permitted indefinitely, but the remaining 66% thought it would be outlawed within 10 years.

MORE: We spoke to Eley about their new biodegradable wads

We also asked what impact being forced to use steel shot would have on shooting. A significant proportion of people (19%) said that they think high bird shooting would cease to exist, while 25% said that they would have to change their guns. 35% said that they think shooting would suffer greatly, while 48% said they thought we would simply change the way we shoot.

Some of these points are covered in an FAQ document that accompanied the press release about the organisation's decision. 

MORE: Answered - some common questions in regard to the proposed move away from lead shot

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:  “This move away from the use of lead and single-use plastics in shotgun ammunition is very welcome and I would like to applaud these organisations for coming together to reach this decision. It is a significant step for both wildlife and the wider environment and the government remains committed to ensuring a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between shooting and conservation.”

Share your thoughts on the proposed phase-out in the comments below.