Countryside Alliance Ireland continues to closely monitor developments at EU level regarding proposals to further restrict the use of lead in ammunition under the EU’s REACH chemicals regulation. These proposals, recently updated and outlined by the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE), have far-reaching implications for shooting sports, pest control, wildlife management and the wider rural economy. The impact is particularly significant for Northern Ireland, which continues to fall under EU rules as a result of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

What is being proposed?

The European Commission is advancing plans to restrict the manufacture, sale and use of lead ammunition across the European Union. While the proposal is still subject to discussion and amendment, the most recent update includes revised transition periods intended to give shooters and the ammunition industry time to adapt. These include:

• A three-year transition period for lead shot used in hunting, affecting traditional shotgun cartridges commonly used for game shooting and pest control. This would apply to standard gauges such as 12 bore, 20 bore, 28 bore and .410, where lead shot has long been the norm.
• A five-year transition period for larger calibre centre-fire rifle ammunition, generally defined as calibres above 5.6 mm (.22 calibre). This would include widely used sporting and hunting calibres such as .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 6.5×55 Swedish, and similar deer-legal rounds.
• A 15-year transition period for smaller calibre and rimfire ammunition, with a review clause after ten years. This category includes .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR), .22 WMR, .17 HMR and other small-calibre rimfire rounds, which are extensively used for vermin control, training, and recreational shooting.

These revised timelines reflect sustained pressure from hunting, farming and shooting organisations across Europe for a more realistic, proportionate and evidence-based approach. In particular, there are ongoing concerns about the limited availability, higher cost, and in some cases reduced effectiveness or safety of non-lead alternatives, especially for small calibres and certain types of pest control.

Northern Ireland: a unique and challenging position

While Great Britain now operates under a separate UK REACH regulatory system, Northern Ireland remains aligned with EU REACH regulations under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol. As a result, any EU-wide restriction on lead ammunition will apply directly in Northern Ireland, irrespective of decisions taken by the UK Government for England, Scotland and Wales.

This creates the very real prospect of different ammunition rules within the United Kingdom, placing Northern Ireland’s farmers, gamekeepers, hunters and target shooters at a disadvantage. There is concern that this divergence could lead to reduced choice, increased costs, supply complications and enforcement confusion, all of which disproportionately affect rural communities.

Any move away from lead must therefore be proportionate and practical, ensuring that viable alternatives are genuinely available and suitable for Northern Ireland’s specific terrain, farming systems and shooting practices.

Looking ahead

The EU decision-making process remains ongoing, with further technical discussions and political negotiations expected over the coming year. Countryside Alliance Ireland urges policymakers to fully recognise the practical realities on the ground and to ensure that Northern Ireland’s rural and sporting communities are not unfairly penalised by regulations over which they have limited democratic influence.

We will continue to engage with FACE, UK authorities, local representatives and stakeholders to press for sensible outcomes, long transition periods and fair treatment for Northern Ireland. Countryside Alliance Ireland will keep members informed as developments continue and will remain a strong and vocal advocate for countryside interests across Northern Ireland.