The UK Government has confirmed that from 1 April 2029 the sale and use of lead shot for both live quarry and clay shooting will be banned. This ban will apply across England, Wales and Scotland, following a phased timetable set out under the UK REACH process.
The UK Government has confirmed that from 1 April 2029 the sale and use of lead shot for both live quarry and clay shooting will be banned. This ban will apply across England, Wales and Scotland, following a phased timetable set out under the UK REACH process.
At present, Scotland still allows the use of lead shot for shooting wildfowl away from wetlands, but the new legislation will bring Scotland fully into line with the rest of the UK.
A three‑year transition period begins on 1 April 2026, after which the full restrictions take effect in 2029.
This means that it will be an offence to use shotgun cartridges filled with lead shot for game shooting or clay shooting from 1 April 2029.
The main changes are:
Shotgun cartridges
• From 1 April 2029, the use and sale of lead shot for live quarry will be banned.
• From 1 April 2029, the use and sale of lead shot for indoor and outdoor recreational target shooting will be banned. There is an exemption for elite athletes (olympians/paralympians).
Rifle bullets
• From 1 April 2028, the use of lead bullets for outdoor target shooting will be restricted. Ranges must meet required lead recovery standards and risk‑management measures.
• From 1 April 2029, the use and sale of lead bullets for live quarry shooting of calibres .243 and above will be banned.
• Note: small‑calibre rifles below .243 are not affected by the restrictions.
Airguns
• The use and sale of lead airgun pellets for target shooting or live quarry shooting are not subject to any restrictions.
The move follows extensive consultation and aligns with similar decisions taken in Europe. While the direction of travel has been widely anticipated, the cartridge manufacturing sector faces a significant challenge. Meeting full demand for non‑lead alternatives by 2029 may be difficult due to global supply chain pressures, conflict‑related material shortages and the scale of transition required across both clay and game shooting communities.
Tim Weston, NGO Director Environment, Policy & Politics said, "Although not unexpected, it is disappointing timing from the Government to make this announcement, given that the global situation looks very different now from when the decision was initially reached. There is the potential for supply shortages that could hamper the production of lead‑free shotgun cartridges. The NGO has consistently called for a voluntary move away from lead to negate the need for legislation."
You can read the full UK Statutory Instrument laid down by the Government
here.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation: The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, there are 13,000 members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation. www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk
