Time is almost up for toxic lead ammunition
Legislation to ban poisonous lead ammunition comes into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 1 April 2026.
After a decades-long campaign, legislation banning poisonous lead ammunition in outdoor shooting has been enacted today, throwing a lifeline to the country’s wildlife.
Sarah Fowler, Chief Executive at WWT, the wetland charity, said:“Today has been decades in the making. With lead ammunition claiming the lives of up to 100,000 waterbirds every year in the UK, this is a major and historic win for wildlife and the habitats they depend on. This is truly a moment worth celebrating.
“Today starts a three-year transition period, phasing out lead ammunition from our environment. By 1 April 2028, lead bullets for outdoor target shooting will be restricted and then by 1 April 2029, with a few exemptions, the use and sale of lead shot and large calibre lead bullets for hunting and target shooting will be banned too.
“The dangers of lead ammunition are known – we've evidenced them and seen them firsthand in our wildlife and our landscapes. But the end is finally in sight. We could not have done this alone, so I want to say a massive thank you to the scientists, campaigners and policymakers who have fought and worked so hard for this moment. And to you, the public - the untold numbers who have supported us on this long journey and the thousands of you who, more recently, wrote to the Secretary of State last year asking for this historic ban.”
Over the course of a decade-long campaign, WWT, the wetland charity, worked in partnership with organisations across sectors, to highlight the risks of lead ammunition and its impacts on wildlife, humans, pets and the wider environment.
Richard Benwell, Chief Executive, Wildlife & Countryside Link said: "Finally, a government has the bravery to bite the bullet and ban the use of lead ammunition. This is an important step in cleaning up the countryside and preventing thousands of birds from being poisoned.
"Ministers should follow this positive decision with proper regulation and enforcement of the shooting industry to prevent wildlife crime, animal welfare abuses, biosecurity risks and harm to nature".
The RSPB’s head of site conservation and species policy, Kate Jennings, said: “Lead has long been known as a poison. It harms nature, pollutes the environment and kills large numbers of wild birds, with up to 100,000 dying each year from lead poisoning. After years of campaigning, it's great to see this new legislation finally in place. It's passing is a critical and important step in protecting our wildlife - and our attention will now turn to ensuring its robust implementation.”
Dr Anna Watson, Director of Policy and Advocacy at CHEM Trust, said: “We are delighted to see the ban on lead ammunition, which will better protect people and wildlife from this highly toxic substance, which is linked to numerous health problems. Like the bans on lead in petrol in 1999 and water pipes in 1970, this is an important step in reducing widespread exposure to this dangerous heavy metal.”
The legislation that comes into force on 1 April 2026 will apply across England, Wales and Scotland. However, implementation and enforcement of the legislation will be essential to protect wildlife, habitats and people long into the future.
In the EU, a crunch meeting is taking place at the end of the month to agree a similar ban on lead shot across all 30 countries of the European Economic Area. Though this restriction does not include lead bullets, if passed, lead shot could be banned across most of the European continent, including Northern Ireland, creating safer and healthier habitats for migratory birds across much of their flyways.
Header image: Whooper swan by Ben Andrew, WWT.
