A ban on lead ammunition will be implemented in England, Scotland, and Wales, affecting shotgun pellets with over 1% lead and bullets over 3%. The phase-out will occur over three years starting in 2026, a reduction from the previously suggested five years. This decision aims to reduce lead poisoning in wildlife, particularly migratory waterbirds. Annually, approximately 100,000 waterbirds in the UK die due to lead ingestion. Previous campaigns for voluntary lead alternatives had limited impact, as evidenced by 99.5% of pheasants containing lead shotgun pellets. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation has shown support but requested more time for transition.
The ban outlaws shotgun pellets containing more than 1% lead, and bullets with more than 3%, phasing restrictions in over three years starting in 2026.
About 100,000 waterbirds in the UK die every year from lead poisoning, largely due to consuming discarded lead pellets mistaken for seeds.
99.5% of pheasants killed using shotgun pellets contained lead, revealing that previous efforts to encourage the switch to non-lead ammunition had largely failed.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation expressed support for the ban but requested a five-year timeline for the transition instead of three.
#lead-ammunition-ban #wildlife-conservation #environmental-policy #waterbird-protection #shooting-regulations
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