BASC responds to HSE proposals on lead ammunition

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has sent its final recommendations to the government on the restriction proposals for lead ammunition in England, Scotland and Wales. This is the culmination of a consultation launched in 2022, which has run alongside the voluntary transition away from lead first proposed by nine leading rural organisations, including BASC, in 2020.

The recommendations include:

A restriction on the sale and use of lead shotgun ammunition for live quarry and target shooting with a timeline of five years.
A precautionary restriction on the sale and use of large calibre ammunition for live quarry shooting with rifles with a timeline of three years.
On target shooting with rifles, ranges that cannot de-lead have two years to adapt or move across to non-lead ammunition. Ranges that can comply with these measures face no restrictions.
No restrictions proposed on airguns for live quarry or target shooting.

BASC has always stated that any laws affecting ammunition should be practical, easy to comply with, and proportionate to evidenced risk, which is why we lobbied for changes in the restrictions the HSE was recommending and achieved the following:

The transition towards the restriction on the sale and use of shotgun ammunition for shooting live quarry has been extended from three to five years.
The transition towards a precautionary restriction proposed on the sale and use of large calibre ammunition has been extended from 18 months to three years.
No restrictions have been proposed on small calibres below .243 after concerns raised by BASC on accuracy and availability.
No restrictions proposed on airguns following BASC technical reports.
Following BASC submissions, no restrictions on target shooting for 95 per cent of ranges, and no restrictions on the five per cent of remaining ranges that can de-lead.

These are the final recommendations from the HSE – they are not yet law. BASC and its partner organisations will continue to engage with government and its agencies to ensure that the final set of rules regarding lead ammunition are practical and based on evidence.

BASC’s chief spokesperson on lead ammunition, Terry Behan said: “BASC has always been opposed to an outright ban on lead, but it was clear the direction of travel was towards increased regulation.

“By calling for a voluntary transition with the other major shooting organisations, we have effectively given the sector a ten-year timeline to adapt, and significant progress has been made – ammunition manufacturers have delivered a range of viable alternatives to lead, and many shoots are now lead-free, with their game being sold in supermarkets across the UK.

“While we are pleased the HSE has taken on board the evidence provided by BASC and other organisations relating to airguns and target shooting, we have concerns over the reclassification of large calibre rifles.”

On the reclassification of large calibres to .243 and above, he added: “We do not support the HSE’s decision to include .243 as a large calibre and have urged them to reconsider. It’s important to remember this is not yet law, just a set of recommendations. With that in mind, BASC will be investing time and money on behalf of our members into further research and testing. We will use this to continue to lobby the government as to why this proposal is unworkable.”

What happens next? Defra, the Scottish government and Welsh government have 12 weeks to review the proposals, and either accept them in their entirety, or request more information from the HSE. When accepted, the recommendations will form the basis of draft legislation to be presented to parliament. There is no fixed timeline for when the draft legislation could come into force as law. BASC will continue to lobby and work with MPs and Ministers to ensure the final legislation is practical and based on evidence.