Lead’s three-year deadline: going, going, gone

Deadline set for lead ammunition ban

The Government has set the dates for banning lead ammunition in England, Scotland and Wales. In three years’ time, shooting with lead will be a criminal offence across all three nations, save for a handful of exemptions.

Parliamentary under-secretary of state Emma Hardy signed off the new regulations in early March, fixing 1 April 2029 as the date from which restrictions will apply to the sale and use of lead ammunition. While it rules out lead for shotgun use on both live quarry and clay targets, some exceptions apply: elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes may continue using lead under a strict regime, and military, police, Border Force, forensic and museum uses all fall outside the restrictions.

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Rifle calibre threshold draws criticism

The rules on rifle bullets are more defined. BASC expressed disappointment that the threshold for the ban on lead bullets fell at calibres 6.17mm and above, meaning it applies to the commonly used .243.

“This risks adversely affecting around 60,000 deer stalkers,” warned deputy director of shooting operations Terry Behan, who added: “If the Government wants an effective deer management policy, it must ensure that deer managers have access to the appropriate tools to do the job.”

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Exemptions for smaller calibres and airguns

In contrast, smaller calibre rifles falling below the 6.17mm threshold, such as the .22 rimfire and .22 centrefire, remain unaffected, as do airgun pellets for both live quarry and target shooting.

Welcoming the news, Niall Gallagher, technical compliance manager at the British Pest Control Association, said: “It’s particularly important for pest professionals that small-calibre rifles and airgun pellets remain outside the scope of these restrictions, as these are commonly used tools for controlling pest species safely and effectively.”

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Earlier deadline for target shooters

Outdoor target rifle shooters face a shorter timeframe: 1 April 2028. However, the option of sticking to lead remains open to them as long as they use it only at a range with lead recovery measures in place. Most ranges already meet that standard.

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Concerns over transition timeline

Concerns remain over the transition timetable. The Health and Safety Executive recommended a five-year transition for shotgun ammunition; the Government has allowed three.

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said: “Bringing in a ban on lead shot in advance of the Health and Safety Executive’s recommendations will be challenging for ammunition manufacturers who are already having to cope with much increased demand for military ammunition.”

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Sector accepts direction of travel

Mr Bonner nonetheless embraced the direction of travel. “The transition away from lead is not going to have a significant negative impact on game or clay shooting, both of which will continue to thrive,” he said. “By accepting political reality and embracing the opportunities that change brings, shooting will only grow stronger.”

BASC’s Terry Behan struck a similar note. “The confirmed implementation dates now provide clarity for the sector. BASC will support our members and the wider shooting community as we adapt to these changes and transition responsibly to non-lead alternatives,” he said.