UK REACH lead ammunition review announced

[Conor O'Gorman]

Responding to today’s UK REACH announcement regarding the consideration of further restrictions on all lead ammunition, Ian Bell, BASC CEO, said:

“The UK’s leading shooting organisations are already engaged in a voluntary five-year transition away from lead shot for live quarry shooting. Encouraging progress has already been made, with manufacturers working hard to bring new products to market to ensure shooting is sustainable.

“The UK already has legislation in place banning the use of lead shot over wetlands and for the shooting of wildfowl. Game dealers have made significant progress in minimising the amount of lead contained in game sold to the public. Cartridge companies are developing new products but producing the amount of non-lead ammunition required for the UK with the current production facilities is a significant challenge.

“The UK REACH consultation encompasses all lead ammunition and reaches well beyond the voluntary transition. They must avoid the failure of the EU REACH process which failed to listen to the shooting, land management, conservation and farming communities and produced unreasonable and unworkable regulations.

Continued engagement with the shooting organisations is critical to ensure any proposals are proportionate, feasible and enforceable while recognising the significant investment and time required to deliver proportionate and effective change.”

For a BASC blog on the review click the link below:

Two-year UK lead ammunition review - threat or opportunity? - BASC

BASC's Dr Conor O'Gorman considers what the announcement of a two-year UK REACH review on lead ammunition means for shooting.

basc.org.uk

For the Defra press release about the review click the link below:

Plans announced to phase out lead ammunition in bid to protect wildlife

The Government is considering a ban of lead ammunition to protect wildlife and nature as part of new plans under UK REACH

www.gov.uk

 

[timbrayford]

It looks like the issue has been kicked into the political long grass, two years all but takes us up to the next General Election. That said it looks like lead ammo is on the way out anyway, pity that something ballistically superior hasn't been found for shotgun shot, steel only gets a look in because its cheap.

 

[25 Sharps]

#stitchup

 

[timbrayford]

#stitchup

No, just the way that the world is changing. Even without a voluntary or legal ban there will come a point where game dealers/end users will not accept lead shot carcasses.

 

[25 Sharps]

No, just the way that the world is changing. Even without a voluntary or legal ban there will come a point where game dealers/end users will not accept lead shot carcasses.

So what about the rest of the shooting community who don't sell what they shoot or only shoot vermin?

 

[Liveonce]

No, just the way that the world is changing. Even without a voluntary or legal ban there will come a point where game dealers/end users will not accept lead shot carcasses.

And then want about clay pigeon target shooting? for I fear for a ban to work on live quarry it must be a total ban on lead shot cartridges.

 

[enfieldspares]

So what about the rest of the shooting community who don't sell what they shoot or only shoot vermin?

This. +1. Or else why not a total ban on cigarettes and on alcohol? Both fags and booze people consume and do so knowing the risks. Cancer, cirrhosis and etc.. So let me shoot what I eat with lead knowing as I do that risk also. I don't sell to game dealers and I don't supply to Waitrose. I don't tell them how to run their business so let them not tell me what I choose to eat.

 

[andyk]

And then want about clay pigeon target shooting? for I fear for a ban to work on live quarry it must be a total ban on lead shot cartridges.

Surely that depends on how we, as shooters, react to a ban on lead for quarry use?

If people start buying 6 shot for 'clays' but use it for quarry which is sold to dealers, then the a ban on possession of lead ammunition (which is something the antis sorely want) will be seen as necessary to ensure compliance.

Should some lead ammunition remain permitted for certain uses, e.g. target, clays, vermin etc then the onus will be on us to park any desire to 'resist' and stick to the legislation. Otherwise, we will simply be gifting the antis what they need for a full blown, no-exclusions allowed, ban on lead ammo.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

So what about the rest of the shooting community who don't sell what they shoot or only shoot vermin?

I would simply ask why would it matter using non-lead to shoot vermin? There are plenty of people who have used non-lead options while shooting foxes or other vermin, the Barnes Varmint Grenade or the standard TTSX for example.

At some point we have to realise this is happening, no matter what you feel about it, and maybe it's time to start looking for solutions rather than problems?
There are many products out there which can be explored to suit your personal uses.

Surely that depends on how we, as shooters, react to a ban on lead for quarry use?

If people start buying 6 shot for 'clays' but use it for quarry which is sold to dealers, then the a ban on possession of lead ammunition (which is something the antis sorely want) will be seen as necessary to ensure compliance.

Should some lead ammunition remain permitted for certain uses, e.g. target, clays, vermin etc then the onus will be on us to park any desire to 'resist' and stick to the legislation. Otherwise, we will simply be gifting the antis what they need for a full blown, no-exclusions allowed, ban on lead ammo.

I would agree, if we are seen to be progressive and proactive in our move to non-lead, then we will have far more of a say in the certain circumstances where we CAN still use lead where there isn't the risk to the environment or the end consumer (eg. Target shooting as mentioned), however the backlash we see from people on here just demonstrates why unfortunately we as a community may be treated like an insolent child having a tantrum and have it removed entirely with a blanket ban rather than a more liberal ban on just the use of lead on game.

Ben

 

[25 Sharps]

I would simply ask why would it matter using non-lead to shoot vermin? There are plenty of people who have used non-lead options while shooting foxes or other vermin, the Barnes Varmint Grenade or the standard TTSX for example.

At some point we have to realise this is happening, no matter what you feel about it, and maybe it's time to start looking for solutions rather than problems?
There are many products out there which can be explored to suit your personal uses.



I would agree, if we are seen to be progressive and proactive in our move to non-lead, then we will have far more of a say in the certain circumstances where we CAN still use lead where there isn't the risk to the environment or the end consumer (eg. Target shooting as mentioned), however the backlash we see from people on here just demonstrates why unfortunately we as a community may be treated like an insolent child having a tantrum and have it removed entirely with a blanket ban rather than a more liberal ban on just the use of lead on game.

Ben

I’ve answered your first query many times on the various threads, lead is very efficient ballistically and in terms of expansion. Therefore it is THE most humane option.

For example subsonic .22 Lr, one of the most common and useful vermin rounds, there are literally no lead free alternatives and likely never will be.

No offence Ben but you’re only 18 years old, posting from your bedroom at your parents’ house, you have very little experience so why don’t you post as such rather than pretending you have a vast amount of field experience?

 

[Liveonce]

Surely that depends on how we, as shooters, react to a ban on lead for quarry use?

If people start buying 6 shot for 'clays' but use it for quarry which is sold to dealers, then the a ban on possession of lead ammunition (which is something the antis sorely want) will be seen as necessary to ensure compliance.

Should some lead ammunition remain permitted for certain uses, e.g. target, clays, vermin etc then the onus will be on us to park any desire to 'resist' and stick to the legislation. Otherwise, we will simply be gifting the antis what they need for a full blown, no-exclusions allowed, ban on lead ammo.

When you say ban on lead for quarry use, do you mean the current voluntary transition by the shooting organisations or the potential ban after the government two year investigation, because the latter has set no boundaries for just quarry.

And how well has that worked for wildfowling? Do we have any data to show the level of compliance?

The temptation could be significant to continue to use lead shot if the price of steel shot and biodegradable wads is maintained considerably higher than lead shot clay cartridges. Especially for pigeon shooting or small diy game shoots.
Big challenge when you consider 179 out of 180 pheasants tested recently were shot with lead.
The change could take a generation before it becomes the norm to use non toxic, in what ever form of shooting remains.

 

[CarlW]

When you say ban on lead for quarry use, do you mean the current voluntary transition by the shooting organisations or the potential ban after the government two year investigation, because the latter has set no boundaries for just quarry.

And how well has that worked for wildfowling? Do we have any data to show the level of compliance?

The temptation could be significant to continue to use lead shot if the price of steel shot and biodegradable wads is maintained considerably higher than lead shot clay cartridges. Especially for pigeon shooting or small diy game shoots.
Big challenge when you consider 179 out of 180 pheasants tested recently were shot with lead.
The change could take a generation before it becomes the norm to use non toxic, in what ever form of shooting remains.

Are you therefore arguing in favour of a total ban?

 

[Dunwaters]

So what about the rest of the shooting community who don't sell what they shoot or only shoot vermin?

We sort of hope you’ll tag along with the rest of us, what are you planning?

 

[CarlW]

On the compromise front, personally I could cope with (but not welcome, because all of this is boll0cks) a ban on the sale of lead-shot deer (or game). However, I would argue that deer (or game) shot for personal consumption should be exempt from the ban. If I want to eat lead, that's my lookout. Market forces will take care of the rest. There is absolutely no reason to prohibit the use of lead in either vermin control or target-shooting.

 

[Liveonce]

Are you therefore arguing in favour of a total ban?

Not arguing for or against, but we are in a very precarious situation now given we actually have the shooting organisations agreeing that lead is nasty stuff, a poison that should not be in food or the environment.

 

[andyk]

I'm talking about any future ban brought in. BASC and others voluntary transition is just that, voluntary, it is for people to make their own mind up.

We'll have to see what the government propose, but I would be surprised if there aren't exceptions. If we get nothing then our organisations really will have been as ineffective as their biggest detractors claim.

If I am to guess, target shooting with rifles ought to be the most likely to get an exemption as it is probably the discipline where the recovery of spent bullets is easiest. Clay grounds, .22LR, airguns, vermin etc are anyone's guess but I would hope there would be provision which would not put in place a blanket ban. I believe I am correct in thinking Denmark (or one of the other countries saying it has a lead ban) has exempted .22LR. I can only presume as it is accepted that non-lead is so useless in this cartridge as to be none existent.

If exemptions are allowed then their continued existence will no doubt be challenged by those whose motives are to make shooting as difficult as possible. I have a feeling that Wild Justice (or some of its members) have called for a ban on the possession of lead ammunition citing fears that any restrictions which stop short of this will see lead ammunition continue to be used where it should not be.

Those challenges will be far harder to defeat, and will carry more weight, if shooters continue to use lead where it is prohibited. On the other hand, if any prohibitions are (grudgingly) respected, shooters have a far stronger hand to play in resisting further restrictions.

I don't know how well fowling restrictions are observed and presume it is rather hard to know, given that little (if any) is sold and so at risk of being tested. All I'm saying is that we will make it worse for ourselves if, should restrictions be brought in, we (as a group) behave in a way which gives our detractors reasons to take away whatever freedoms we might still enjoy.

 

[Dunwaters]

I would simply ask why would it matter using non-lead to shoot vermin? There are plenty of people who have used non-lead options while shooting foxes or other vermin, the Barnes Varmint Grenade or the standard TTSX for example.

At some point we have to realise this is happening, no matter what you feel about it, and maybe it's time to start looking for solutions rather than problems?
There are many products out there which can be explored to suit your personal uses.



I would agree, if we are seen to be progressive and proactive in our move to non-lead, then we will have far more of a say in the certain circumstances where we CAN still use lead where there isn't the risk to the environment or the end consumer (eg. Target shooting as mentioned), however the backlash we see from people on here just demonstrates why unfortunately we as a community may be treated like an insolent child having a tantrum and have it removed entirely with a blanket ban rather than a more liberal ban on just the use of lead on game.

Ben

We were steamrolled.
Have a look at the EU report, no need to read it all just the executive summary.
The decision to ban lead was already made, the consultation and report process was a just required step in the process.
Incidentally the proposal is to ban the use, sale or possession of lead ammo and angling weights after the transition period, so I’d seriously reconsider the stockpile option.

 

[sauer]

As usual the alternative is damn sight more expensive than the lead equivalent ...... if you incentivize people to switch .... say by being same price or cheaper than stuff your trying to phase out !
might get bit more success

paul

 

[CarlW]

Incidentally the proposal is to ban the use, sale or possession of lead ammo and angling weights after the transition period, so I’d seriously reconsider the stockpile option.

That is in the EU. We don't know what the UK proposal is.

 

[Benelli m2]

I have been stocking up with .25 Hades for fac