LEAD: THE LONG GAME

Victory has a thousand fathers, while defeat is an orphan. So it remains to be seen how the Lead Ammunition Group (LAG) unravels in the wake of Defra’s long-awaited decision not to ban lead ammunition. For now, it should reassure readers of The Field that government has cut a swathe through the hype and hysteria. Not only can we still shoot with lead, we continue to be trusted to eat game shot with lead. Rejoice, the vocal, anti-shooting rabble-rousers have been put back in their box.

However, when our whoops and back-slapping wane, focus should return to the long game. Right now, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers the wording of a motion to encourage the world’s thinkers and policy-makers to impose a global lead ban. BASC has so far secured notable concessions in the wording and will continue the good fight. Nevertheless, danger remains.

The defeated will not stay subdued for long. It behoves all who shoot, and all who enjoy the bounty of our wonderful sport, to ready themselves for a renewed onslaught. We can make a start by tackling issues that can be easiest mended. By way of example, departing environment secretary Liz Truss used her letter to LAG to warn of better implementation of current lead shot regulations being applied to foreshores, certain SSSIS and for the shooting of all ducks, geese, coot and moorhen. The government talks of “poor compliance”. Quite rightly, there should be no hiding place for those who flout these rules. Let’s not give ammunition, lead or otherwise, to those who wish to harm our sport.

Peter Glenser, Chairman, BASC

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