The sale and use of lead shot for live quarry and clay shooting will be banned from 1 April 2029, after a three-year transition, starting in a month’s time. This means that it will be an offence to use shotgun cartridges loaded with lead shot for game shooting from that date onwards. This applies in England, Scotland and Wales.

In line with the government’s plans, announced last summer, the statutory instrument to deliver this change has been laid before Parliament and will come into force on 1 April 2026. It covers all aspects of the government’s decisions on the use of lead in ammunition for live quarry and target shooting. There is a derogation for Olympic and Paralympic athletes to continue using lead shot for clay pigeon shooting in strictly limited quantities.

Rifle ammunition for live quarry shooting of calibres of .243 and above will also be subject to restrictions and will be banned from 1 April 2029. For target shooting, lead bullets are only permissible if the range adheres to certain lead recovery standards. Ranges must have adequate recovery measures in place from 1 April 2028. Ammunition for rifles smaller than .243 calibre and for air weapons will not be restricted.

After a lengthy consultation process and with clear influence from the equivalent European Parliament concerning lead ammunition, there can be no surprises that a ban is being imposed, but the cartridge manufacturing industry will face a challenge in meeting full demand from the clay and game shooting sectors by 1 April 2029 due to factors beyond the control of the manufacturers – global conflicts, supply chain disruption and more.

Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance said:

“This is an important step for the future of shooting, which will benefit the countryside and rural economy. The Alliance has long advocated a move away from lead ammunition which is necessary and beneficial. Alternatives are now available for nearly every gun for nearly every purpose.

"We have always argued for a single transition date and do have concerns about the practical implications of a three-year transition for all uses of shotgun cartridges. Bringing in a ban on lead shot in advance of the Health and Safety Executive’s recommendations will be challenging for ammunition manufacturers who are already having to cope with much increased demand for military ammunition”. 

Across the English Channel, the European Commission has recently changed its stance on transition periods for banning lead shotgun ammunition, reducing their proposal from 5 years to 3 years.

The full statutory instrument that the government has laid down can be read here.