The UK Government has announced plans to restrict the use of lead in ammunition. The
measures, outlined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), will
include limits on lead content in both shot and bullets, with legislation expected by summer
2026.
The restrictions will be phased in over a three-year period following the introduction of
legislation, rather than the five years set out in an official report last year.
Under the new rules, ammunition containing more than 1% lead in shot or more than 3%
lead in bullets will no longer be sold to the public, except under specific exemptions. These
include use by the military and police, elite sports shooting, museum collections, and target
shooting on outdoor ranges with appropriate risk management measures in place. The
restrictions will not apply to small calibre bullets used for live quarry shooting or to airguns.
A three-year transition period will follow the implementation of the legislation, giving the
shooting and hunting sectors time to adopt alternatives such as steel, tungsten- or bismuth-
based ammunition.
According to Defra, the changes are being introduced due to the well-documented risks lead
poses to wildlife and human health. The Government estimates that up to 100,000 wildfowl
– including ducks, swans and waders – die from lead poisoning each year, with toxic
residues contaminating soil and waterways and entering food chains. In addition, around
40,000 birds of prey, such as red kites and white-tailed eagles, are believed to be at risk
through secondary ingestion of lead via carrion.
The Government said it will continue to engage with the shooting industry throughout the
transition and that outdoor shooting ranges with appropriate risk-management measures in
place will be exempt from the restriction.
Stephen Jolly, chief executive of the Gun Trade Association, commented: “The GTA was
instrumental in getting airgun pellets and .22 rimfire exempted from the ban. However,
while we understand the rationale for lead restrictions in general, the shortening of the
transition period is deeply unhelpful. It is likely to prove problematic for ammunition
manufacturers whose job is to provide safe and practical solutions for shooters.
The prohibitive cost of critical metals at this time renders use of tungsten or bismuth
uneconomic. The interactions between barrels, steel shot and biodegradable wads are
complex and require further work. Providing a viable alternative to lead within the
timeframe proposed will be difficult but I have every confidence our world-class
ammunition manufacturers will rise to the challenge”.
