Great Britain bans lead ammunition from 2026

Shot pellets and projectiles containing lead are to be banned for almost all uses, ministers announced in a long-awaited move welcomed by conservation groups.

The restrictions will be introduced gradually from 2026 over three years rather than five years as proposed in an official report last year, which has prompted some hunting Hunting associations to state that replacement ammunition may not be available in time.

The legislative change announced by Environment Minister Emma Hardy bans shot pellets containing more than 1% lead and projectiles containing more than 3% lead.

Ammunition containing lead has long been considered a significant pollutant and poses a particular danger to waterfowl. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) estimates that approximately 100’000 waterfowl die from lead poisoning in the United Kingdom every year.

The ban is a great day for wildlife, particularly for the migratory waterfowl that make their home in our wetlands, according to the WWT.

Activists say that birds frequently consume discarded lead pellets because they mistake them for seeds or grit.

A 2022 report found that 99.5% of pheasants killed with shot pellets contained lead, demonstrating that earlier efforts to encourage shooters to voluntarily use other types of ammunition had little success.

The ban, which will apply in England, Scotland and Wales, follows recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive last December that lead ammunition should be phased out within five years.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) stated that it supported the general change but disagreed with the recommended timeline being shortened by two years.

The three-year transition was based on the assumption that ammunition would be readily available, said Terry Behan of BASC. «This is not the case for commercial and supply reasons beyond our sector's control. We urge the government to adhere to the five-year timeline proposed by the Health and Safety Executive.»

Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said his organisation also supported the broader change, though the shorter transition period would present a challenge for ammunition manufacturers.

He said: «This is an important step for the future of shooting sports, which will benefit the countryside and the rural economy. The Alliance has long advocated a move away from lead ammunition, which is both necessary and beneficial.»

Hardy said: «Britain is a proud nation of nature lovers, but our rivers are heavily polluted and the numbers of majestic birds are declining at an alarming rate. The new ban on lead ammunition for most uses will help reverse this trend and restore pride in our country by protecting our precious birdlife and cleaning up our rivers. Lead-free alternatives are readily available, and we will continue to work closely with the hunting industry throughout this transition.»

James Robinson, the head of the bird conservation organisation RSPB, said: «We have campaigned for decades to phase out lead ammunition. While this step is long overdue and falls short of a complete ban, it means that Britain will become safer for millions of birds and other wildlife.»

There is an exemption for outdoor shooting of licensed birds and animals with small-calibre projectiles, as no suitable lead-free alternatives exist. Also exempt are air weapons and ammunition used by elite athletes, the military, the police, and at outdoor shooting ranges with risk management measures in place.