Shooting Times & Country Magazine
EU lead ban looms 100m from wetlands
Confusion over whether legislation that would further restrict the use of lead shot in the European Economic Area would affect UK shooters
The EU is considering legislation that would further restrict the use of lead ammunition. The new rules would cover the European Economic Area, which includes Norway and Switzerland as well as the EU, and would ban the use or possession of lead ammunition within 100 metres of a ‘wetland area’.
This change, which could become part of the EU’S REACH regulations framework, would considerably exceed current UK legislation.
The proposed legislation does not define the term ‘wetland’, however, the majority of EU member states use the definition from the Ramsar convention: ‘areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt’. If, as seems likely, this definition was adopted the new law would ban the use and possession of lead ammunition within 100 metres of any pond, river or area of wet ground. Due to the high prevalence of such features on shoots, often created as habitat improvement, many shoots would be unable to allow the use of lead.
Confusion remains over how the potential change would work under UK law. The REACH regulations framework may or may not be incorporated into UK law. It may also be incorporated with exemptions. Shooting Times understands that some EU nations are expected to oppose the move, lead by the Czech Republic.
Dr Conor O’gorman, BASC’S head of policy and campaigns, said: “BASC opposes these proposals as being overly restrictive and precautionary and we are working hard to see them significantly dampened.
“While focus remains on ensuring a smooth voluntary transition away from the use of lead shot for live quarry over the next five years in the UK, we are battling against strong forces from Europe that want to see a larger ban enacted in a much shorter period of time.”
Following the move by the UK’S shooting organisations to phase out lead shot, an increasing range of lead- and plastic-free cartridges have been coming onto the market, including Eley VIP Pro Eco wad, the Bioammo Rex Steel and the Jocker Bio Sport Competition. BASC is planning a series of sustainable ammunition days to allow shooters to try these products out.
Matt Cross
“BASC opposes these proposals as being overly restrictive and precautionary”