EU ban on lead ammunition for airguns, shotguns and rifles

[Conor O'Gorman]

Conor, the proposals are only unworkable if you insist on using lead shot, they’re as enforceable as the current regulations governing use of lead shot in wetlands.
And that’s the whole point, to ban lead shot.
One way or another the EU is going to kick a ban down our necks, its not because of the science, it’s because the various committees and commissioners have decided on our behalf that a lead ban is a good thing.
Neo-liberal politics in action.

I hear what you are saying and its rather populist now for people to call for evidence-led policy development - but not to agree/believe in the evidence when it does not suit their agenda - this is happening across all sectors - not just in shooting and conservation.

The evidence of the impacts of lead ammunition on health and wildlife have been adding up for decades. Few of us will take the time to review the evidence - let alone to do so objectively - its just our human condition to go with our own personal experience/prejudices etc.

BASC has been fighting against disproportionate and unsubstantiated restrictions on the use of lead ammunition for 40 years, whilst investing in research and training on lead alternatives, but time is running out and the wolf is at the door.

Either the UK shooting organisations take a lead in encouraging a voluntary transition away from lead ammunition (that is not a voluntary 'ban') or we end up with people outside our sector making decisions for us; and the UK shooting organisations took the lead in February last year.

What we have seen with the new EU wetlands ban that will take effect from February 2023 in EU states, and possibly in Northern Ireland, is people outside our sector making decisions for us.

Most EU member states already have national laws in place restricting the use of lead shot in wetlands except for Poland, Ireland, Romania, Slovenia and Malta. The new EU regulations are in effect using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, albeit the 20-year intransigence in some countries against any form of legislation since the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) has certainly not helped matters.

For more context on the EU wetlands lead ban see:

Europe has received clear answer over claims of maladministration

Back in May, many national and European politicians expressed serious concerns over the European Commission’s (DG Environment) handling of the lead shot over wetlands restriction under REACH.

www.face.eu

For more context on the EU near-total lead ban see:

Ban on lead in ammunition proposed

Today, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published its proposal for further EU (and EEA)-wide restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition for hunting, outdoor sports shooting and fishing.

www.face.eu

@Liveonce hope this helps address your comment also.

 

[Liveonce]

Do they have wetlands in Malta?

Given it takes a few hours to make a tonne of lead shot and a week to make a tonne of steel shot what is the total manufacturing capacity around the world for steel shot? Will it be sufficient to meet the shootings needs, has anybody knowledgeable about the steel industry done the sums and at what price? Given the economics of supply and demand?

 

[kes]

Rather a handy justification of the unjustifiable from BASC "we've done the studies - you Members and non-members alike) dont believe the evidence and are prejudiced".
How does that square with "no-evidence - no change" which is where we were until very recently. Obviously done a lot of studies read a lot of thesis and passed it through an eager Council to get where we are now Blatant hypocrisy in my book.
Sanctimonious rubbish - again.
Is Swift still in charge ?

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Do they have wetlands in Malta?

Given it takes a few hours to make a tonne of lead shot and a week to make a tonne of steel shot what is the total manufacturing capacity around the world for steel shot? Will it be sufficient to meet the shootings needs, has anybody knowledgeable about the steel industry done the sums and at what price? Given the economics of supply and demand?

Malta has very few wetlands. For more information see:

What does the new regulation on banning lead shot over wetlands mean for Europe’s hunters?

After months of scrutiny, long delays and widespread criticism from various stakeholders, the new...

www.face.eu

I have passed your query on steel manufacturing capacity and whether it will be sufficient to meet shooting needs onto colleagues at BASC for consideration.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Rather a handy justification of the unjustifiable from BASC "we've done the studies - you Members and non-members alike) dont believe the evidence and are prejudiced".
How does that square with "no-evidence - no change" which is where we were until very recently. Obviously done a lot of studies read a lot of thesis and passed it through an eager Council to get where we are now Blatant hypocrisy in my book.
Sanctimonious rubbish - again.
Is Swift still in charge ?

The GWCT has for decades been continuously reviewing the evidence around lead ammunition and their latest assessment is here:

Lead Ammunition - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

www.gwct.org.uk

The GWCT has also reviewed the evidence around general licences and gamebird releasing and has been reviewing evidence and commissioning research around game biology/ecology/management since the 1930s.

At the risk of repetition it needs stating that few of us will take the time to review the evidence - let alone to do so objectively - its just our human condition to go with our own personal experience/prejudices etc.

Depending on our own personal experiences/prejudices etc some of us might agree/disagree with the evidence around lead ammunition and some might agree/disagree with the evidence around general licences and gamebird releasing.

And of course our personal experience and prejudices change over time.

Few shooters in the UK would now argue against lead shot restrictions around wetlands to reduce the risk of lead poisoning to waterbirds. Yet, 20 years ago, when lead restrictions for wetlands and wildfowl in the UK started to take effect, many of the same people were questioning the evidence that they did not read then, and that they have not read now.

Change is of course challenging to deal with and the phases of denial, acceptance etc for lead ammunition have been researched and documented here:

https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pan3.30

There is also the Danish experience of 30+ years of change and that is documented here:

Lessons learned from 33 years of lead shot regulation in Denmark | Request PDF

Request PDF | Lessons learned from 33 years of lead shot regulation in Denmark | Denmark was the first European country to completely ban lead shot for hunting and target shooting. This paper reviews the process behind this... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

www.researchgate.net

BASC's information and advice on lead ammunition is in the link below and this should be considered in light of our fight against disproportionate and unsubstantiated restrictions on the use of lead ammunition for 40 years

Ammunition - BASC

Ammunition Read all of our latest advice and guidance on ammunition, whatever your chosen shooting discipline. Shotgun Rifle Airgun Lead ammunition restriction proposals The Heath and Safety Executive published the UK REACH restriction dossier for lead ammunition on 6 May. The document outlines...

basc.org.uk

As I have stated before time is running out and the wolf is at the door for the use of lead ammunition and BASC recently ensured that a Labour-backed Environment Bill amendment supporting a two-year phase out of all lead shot was voted down in Parliament.

Defeat for Environment Bill amendment restricting lead ammunition - BASC

BASC welcomes the government’s continued support and backing of the five-year transition away from lead shot for game shooting.

basc.org.uk

 

[kes]

We have done all this before but 2 comments I would make - BASC has morphed into GWCT in terms of 'doing the studies', a bit the same as "BASC's All-Party ..etc etc
The defeat of the amendment to the Environment Bill I remember fondly - You said It didn't have a hope in hell of going through - now, again, BASC wants credit for defeating an amendment to a Bill that you said had "no chance". This comment I have made before, twice .
I suggest you have a look at some of the past comments on the 'lead ban' (as it is colloquially named) i.e. the voluntary lead ban which all the orgs, bar a couple, 'volunteered' all shooters for.

No - evidence - no change, was that a 'populist response' or a truthful representation of BASC's position, or a necessity to maintain membership?
You forgot to mention the Norwegian experience.

I am truly tired of pointing these things out but as long as BASC keeps up its 'advertising' I will respond. You can fool all .............................
not all of us, all of the time.

 

[merlin]

[/URL]

I have passed your query on steel manufacturing capacity and whether it will be sufficient to meet shooting needs onto colleagues at BASC for consideration.
[/QUOTE]

What stance will BASC take if it transpires steel shot manufacturing capacity isn't sufficient for shooting needs?

 

[Liveonce]

The danish experience has relied on single use non biodegradable wads, not biodegradable wad as is the U.K. goal and surly should be the goal of the EU, otherwise the harm to the environment continues.

 

[Pontfathew]

Personally, I don't see moving from lead to "non-toxic" alternatives a big issue, if anything it's moving forward.

I have faith that the rise in non toxic alternatives will drive innovation into creating "lead-like" materials, without the toxicity that prohibits actual lead being used.

I've also used steel catridges on the foreshore quite a few times on geese and ducks with no issue. If someone can shoot a goose effectively with a steel catridge, I'm pretty sure any other bird would follow suit.

I've not used lead free rifle ammunition, but of what I have seen and read I'd have no issues with using it, its just not available at my local shop yet!

We used to use lead piping, lead paint, asbestos, radium in watch faces, strychnine etc. The fact we've "always used it" doesnt mean we can't move forward by using less harmful, more "acceptable" alternatives.

 

[Rusty Gate]

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced proposals for a near-total ban on the sale and use of lead ammunition for airguns, shotguns and rifles.

For a BASC briefing on the proposals see:

European lead ammunition ban proposed

Restrictions on lead ammunition production in the EU could have an impact on UK trade and the voluntary transition away from lead shot for live quarry shooting.

basc.org.uk

For a briefing by the European Federation of Hunting Associations (FACE) see:

Ban on lead in ammunition proposed

Today, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published its proposal for further EU (and EEA)-wide restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition for hunting, outdoor sports shooting and fishing.

www.face.eu

Hope the UK buys the remaiming EU stock, as its so dangerous it would be very very cheap & not being part of tbhe EU we will follow our own rules, legislation & we will vote within the UK for anything we should see fit to ammend.
At least the UK would give consideration to the sporting shooter & stockists to enable a timely use & exhaustion of any products wanting changing

Cant wait to see Hogdon powders all available here again. Funny how the UK were so quick to ban a shooting product (shows they are mostly anti shooting sport) but cigarettes which have been killing thousands every year wernt stopped at all. Maybe Hogdon should have changed the labels to show pictures of cancerous hands and stored them behind a cupboard door/blind like they did with cigarettes hahaha

Moaning aside as long as the UK work together I'm sure we can work up some suitable alloys. Its a positive moving forward & if we nail a good recipe maybe we can copyright/produce the goods to the industry. Be great for the UK to be a bigger part of the shooting world

 

[Liveonce]

Personally, I don't see moving from lead to "non-toxic" alternatives a big issue, if anything it's moving forward.

I have faith that the rise in non toxic alternatives will drive innovation into creating "lead-like" materials, without the toxicity that prohibits actual lead being used.

I've also used steel catridges on the foreshore quite a few times on geese and ducks with no issue. If someone can shoot a goose effectively with a steel catridge, I'm pretty sure any other bird would follow suit.

I've not used lead free rifle ammunition, but of what I have seen and read I'd have no issues with using it, its just not available at my local shop yet!

We used to use lead piping, lead paint, asbestos, radium in watch faces, strychnine etc. The fact we've "always used it" doesnt mean we can't move forward by using less harmful, more "acceptable" alternatives.

Don’t think anybody would object from moving away from lead to non toxic shot, ammunition and air gun pellets if suitable alternatives exist.

My bench mark is as follows;-

The alternative should be no more harmful to the environment and human health than the complete cartridge, ammunition or pellet that it replaces.
The alternative should be fit for purpose and be as effective on live quarry as lead.
The alternative should be available for all firearms regardless of type or age.
The alternative should be similar cost by comparison to lead.

As I see it at this time we can do some of this but not all of it. So any ban should reflect this and the diversity of the sport.


“I have faith that the rise in non toxic alternatives will drive innovation into creating "lead-like" materials, without the toxicity that prohibits actual lead being used.”

Took the universe billions of years to create lead

 

[palmer_mike]

Personally, I don't see moving from lead to "non-toxic" alternatives a big issue, if anything it's moving forward.

I have faith that the rise in non toxic alternatives will drive innovation into creating "lead-like" materials, without the toxicity that prohibits actual lead being used.

I've also used steel catridges on the foreshore quite a few times on geese and ducks with no issue. If someone can shoot a goose effectively with a steel catridge, I'm pretty sure any other bird would follow suit.

I've not used lead free rifle ammunition, but of what I have seen and read I'd have no issues with using it, its just not available at my local shop yet!

We used to use lead piping, lead paint, asbestos, radium in watch faces, strychnine etc. The fact we've "always used it" doesnt mean we can't move forward by using less harmful, more "acceptable" alternatives.

Happy the throw those that use firearms that can only shoot Lead under the bus?

 

[Pontfathew]

Don’t think anybody would object from moving away from lead to non toxic shot, ammunition and air gun pellets if suitable alternatives exist.

My bench mark is as follows;-

The alternative should be no more harmful to the environment and human health than the complete cartridge, ammunition or pellet that it replaces.
The alternative should be fit for purpose and be as effective on live quarry as lead.
The alternative should be available for all firearms regardless of type or age.
The alternative should be similar cost by comparison to lead.

As I see it at this time we can do some of this but not all of it. So any ban should reflect this and the diversity of the sport.


“I have faith that the rise in non toxic alternatives will drive innovation into creating "lead-like" materials, without the toxicity that prohibits actual lead being used.”

Took the universe billions of years to create lead

My point to this would be that the main drivers for developing alternatives to lead that are capable in all firearms would be a legislative change. This is how innovation is driven in many sectors, most notably the automotive sector (reducing emissions etc). I'm positive if a ban is introduced that manufacturers will be very motivated to develop alternatives in all firearms to keep themselves in buisness!

Ref Palmer Mike - Not wishing to throw anyone under any form of bus. I'm sure there will be an alternative to lead for the firearm you have to keep you shooting. Maybe not now, but by the time any ban may take effect.

 

[palmer_mike]

My point to this would be that the main drivers for developing alternatives to lead that are capable in all firearms would be a legislative change. This is how innovation is driven in many sectors, most notably the automotive sector (reducing emissions etc). I'm positive if a ban is introduced that manufacturers will be very motivated to develop alternatives in all firearms to keep themselves in buisness!

Ref Palmer Mike - Not wishing to throw anyone under any form of bus. I'm sure there will be an alternative to lead for the firearm you have to keep you shooting. Maybe not now, but by the time any ban may take effect.

What lead free alternative would you suggest for a muzzle loading rifle?

 

[Pontfathew]

What lead free alternative would you suggest for a muzzle loading rifle?

Wouldnt claim to know, all I'm saying is I'm sure someone will be by who's brighter than myself with something!

 

[CarlW]

Wouldnt claim to know, all I'm saying is I'm sure someone will be by who's brighter than myself with something!

Here's your choice. Gold looks a good fit.

 

[zambezi]

Here's your choice. Gold looks a good fit.

View attachment 193597

Polonium [84] is a close match going the other way. Haven't the Russians had some success with that?

 

[CarlW]

Polonium [84] is a close match going the other way. Haven't the Russians had some success with that?

Goes well with tea, I hear.

 

[andyk]

@palmer_mike, would tungsten matrix (of an appropriate density) or bismuth work? They seem to be used interchangeably with lead in shotguns? I'm not suggesting muzzle loader users would want to do this and I'll readily admit I have little to no knowledge of muzzle loaders. I'm just wondering.

@Pontfathew, I'm not sure there will be some great innovation to come along. @CarlW has kind of beaten me to it. To replace lead like for like you need something cheap(ish), soft(ish) and dense. Lead achieves this very nicely and in my limited scientific knowledge I would expect that any new alternative would need to be based on a dense metal in order to achieve the required weight, it being impossible to make something heavy with light materials. That sounds obvious but it is going to be the ultimate problem with creating any alternative.

Bismuth and tungsten matrix achieve the density and softness. In bismuth's case because it is very similar to lead. In tungsten matrix's case by combining the very dense (and hard) tungsten, in powder form, with a polymer bonding agent (potentially a problem in itself) which creates the softness and lessens the weight. However, both are hideously expensive.

Steel and Copper appear the only other viable alternatives but both are harder and less dense. No-one seems to be suggesting copper shot (I presume because it is only a little more dense than steel but a lot more expensive). Both then need to be pushed faster to compensate for their lightness. That can be achieved in rifles and modern shotguns but rules out things such as muzzle loaders and old shotguns which can't take the associated pressures.

I am hopeful that there is some innovation to come, possible 'softer' non-lead bullets (after all the copper 'monoliths' which are becoming popular were initially designed as the ultimate in controlled expansion bullets, a role they appear to suit, but which does create a question as to their suitability for smaller targets). I admit RWS already seem to be starting this, it's just a shame no-one imports their bullets. I also wonder if steel cored target bullets may become a 'thing', it would allow them to be lighter for any given profile (so I presume as aerodynamic) but to be pushed faster. However, I really don't think there is scope for a total 'reinvention' of the materials we use in bullets/shot, all we can do is better utilise the current options. For older shotguns, muzzle loaders and .22LR, I really don't see it as physically possible for anyone to come up with a particularly viable non-lead alternative which doesn't cost a fortune.

 

[andyk]

Goes well with tea, I hear.

Maybe we could get the antis on board with that, a nice little woodland tea party with the deer...