UK ban on lead ammunition hailed as major win for wildlife

The UK Government has announced a long-awaited ban on toxic lead ammunition, which has been praised as a major victory for wildlife and the environment.

From 2026, the use of lead-based shotgun pellets and bullets will be phased out across England, Scotland, and Wales over a three-year period. The new regulations will outlaw shotgun pellets containing more than 1% lead and bullets with more than 3%, significantly reducing one of the most persistent sources of wildlife poisoning.

The decision, unveiled by Environment Minister Emma Hardy, follows years of campaigning by environmental groups and comes after a recommendation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Although the HSE had proposed a five-year transition, ministers have opted for a shorter timeline to accelerate the environmental benefits.

Wildfowl species such as Whooper Swan can die from lead-ammunition pollution (Ian Curran).

Lead ammunition has long been identified as a major pollutant that is especially harmful to waterbirds. According to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), some 100,000 birds die annually in the UK from ingesting lead shot, which is often mistaken for food or grit. Campaigners argue that voluntary measures to reduce use have failed, with a 2022 study revealing that 99.5% of Common Pheasants killed still contained lead shot.

"This is a huge day for wildlife, particularly migratory waterbirds who rely on our wetlands," the WWT said. The RSPB also welcomed the move, calling it "long overdue" and a vital step towards protecting millions of birds from a well-known threat.

While broadly supportive of the ban, shooting organisations expressed concern over the compressed timeline. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Countryside Alliance suggested that a lack of commercially available alternatives could pose supply challenges.

Nonetheless, Hardy remained firm. "Britain is a proud nation of nature lovers, but our rivers are polluted and iconic birds are declining. This ban will help reverse that, protecting birdlife and restoring our countryside."

Exemptions will apply in limited cases, including for small-calibre bullets where no viable alternative exists, as well as for military, police, and elite sports use under strict conditions.

Environmental groups have hailed the ban as a vital and long-overdue step towards a cleaner, safer natural environment.