Initiated by your very selves without speaking on members behalf... That's the bit people are struggling with. I certainly didn't get asked about it by a number of other people I know!
I'm not wishing to turn this in to a BASC basing thread but you can't sit there and say all this brilliant stuff you do when you initiated the 'voluntary' transition which has caused this train wreck we're in now because an opening was present which the opposite group rightfully took and ran with.
If you are indeed arguing successfully, please can you get the minimum calibre size for the lead free stuff when it comes in over 6mm? As in, so the 243/6mm cm and the likes can continue?
None of this is directed at you as an individual, its directed towards BASC. You've been nothing but helpful previously.
It is a voluntary process just for lead shot for live quarry shooting and five years of feedback from members on that so far and lots of events to try steel shot. The post-Brexit restriction proposals for various lead ammunition uses was not prompted by that voluntary transition.
Lead in ammunition, and some hazardous substances in tattoo inks and permanent makeup, were the first areas to be reviewed in 2021 under post-Brexit legislation called UK REACH on the control of hazardous chemicals. These HSE reviews came about following Brexit to ensure continued trade in chemicals with the EU post-Brexit. Northern Ireland is excluded due to the NI protocol and continues to be subject to EU REACH regulations (and therefore could be impacted by EU proposals to ban the outdoor recreational use of lead ammunition).
In June 2023 the HSE proposed its recommendation for a restriction on hazardous substances in tattoo inks and permanent make-up in England, Wales and Scotland. This was the first restriction HSE has proposed since it took on the role of regulatory agency for UK REACH at the start of 2021. Nothing has happened since.
Lead in ammunition was the second substance subject to review and the next one is the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams.
This is a new process in the UK and there have been no legislative changes as yet.
Defra and the Scottish and Welsh Governments will review the December 2024 HSE report and decide whether to propose legislation (noting the substances in tattoos and permanent make-up were at this stage of review in June 2023 and nothing has happened).
If laws on lead ammunition are proposed this could be the same for England, Wales and Scotland or we could see different laws in different countries - as happened when the lead shot regulations for wildfowl and/or wetlands came into force over 20 years ago. The devolved governments have always had the power to bring in further restrictions (subject to public consultation) regardless of the HSE review.
As regards rifle ammunition for live quarry the HSE have recommended to the govt restrictions on the sale and use of large calibre ammunition with a timeline of three years. Large calibres have been classified as .243 (6.17mm) and above for that. We lobbied for large calibres to be set at 6.5mm and will continue to do so.
basc.org.uk
apple.news
