It is BASC policy that all regulations applying to the use of lead shot in the United Kingdom shall be observed.

1. BASC will promote awareness and understanding of the recommendations on the safe and effective use of lead and non-lead shotgun ammunition among shooting people as well as those with responsibility for the management of shooting territories. BASC will incorporate the principles into all appropriate BASC codes of practice and publications.

2. BASC will continue to collaborate with the proof authorities, research institutions, cartridge and gun makers, as well as gun shops and retail outlets, to ensure that safe, effective, environmentally-acceptable and affordable non-lead ammunition is available and improves in quality, enabling its users to meet BASC’s Respect for Quarry objectives.

3. BASC will work with statutory, non-government and land-owning organisations to ensure that all regulations and other legal provisions, such as leases and bylaws, are science-driven, proportionate and practical.

4. In general, to extend, as appropriate, the effectiveness of regulations which are in place, and where there are none, BASC will promote the policy set down in the Code of Good Shooting Practice: namely that “In order to avoid lead shot contamination of wetlands important for feeding waterfowl, non-lead shot should be used for game and pest shooting over such wetlands.”

5. BASC is aware that ingestion of spent lead shot does occur in some game and other birds, and that secondary lead poisoning does occur in some birds of prey feeding on birds and animals themselves carrying ingested or embedded lead shot. BASC will continue monitoring their frequency, scale and potential impacts. BASC considers that the emerging evidence must be addressed seriously and justifies urgent attention by all organisations and interests involved in shooting activities.

6. BASC is aware that human consumption of lead-shot game meat can result in human ingestion of lead which potentially exceeds current and likely future recommended tolerable levels. BASC will continue monitoring evidence for any adverse health or other implications. BASC considers that the emerging evidence must be addressed seriously and justifies urgent attention by all organisations and interests involved in shooting activities. BASC will continue to provide appropriate advice to consumers to minimise exposure to lead through ingestion.

7. Currently, most of the available alternatives to lead shot in the UK have been approved for use in American waterfowl shooting by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In the absence of any European assurance scheme, this remains the best available assurance that such alternatives are acceptable for similar uses in this country. BASC, however, is aware that the US system does not comprehensively assess the wider environmental (including human) implications of their use. As and when new information questions any general environmental acceptability of non-lead shot types, BASC will review its advice on their use.

8. With respect to clay target shooting, BASC is aware of possible contamination of soil, waters, and the wider environment by spent shot. BASC will continue to offer advice on managing shooting ranges to control any potential contamination accordingly, and liaise with target-shooting interests to address any problems that occur. BASC will continue assessing technological developments which might contribute to the management of spent lead shot from such activities.

9. BASC will continue to oppose any unwarranted restrictions on lead shot use. Restrictions must be science-based and proportionate. Debates about possible restrictions must fully involve shooting interests.

10. BASC is aware of concerns about the use of lead rifle ammunition, in the context of both secondary poisoning in some birds of prey feeding on animals themselves carrying fragmented lead ammunition, and human health hazards arising from contamination of game meat. BASC will continue monitoring the evidence for such concerns and provide advice accordingly. BASC considers that the emerging evidence must be addressed seriously and justifies urgent attention by all organisations and interests involved in shooting activities. BASC will continue to provide appropriate advice to consumers to minimise exposure to lead through ingestion.

11. BASC will continue to inform and advise its members, and others, on matters related to the use of lead shot, and lead rifle sporting ammunition, and encourage the responsible and effective use of alternatives. BASC will liaise with relevant bodies, including manufacturers, both nationally and internationally as appropriate, and engage with governmental and non-governmental bodies in any debates over the future of all ammunition, with a view to ensuring that all types of such ammunition will continue to be available unless a substantive environmental or other problem is shown to exist which cannot be effectively managed.

 

 

17th September 2009
Research/Lead/0909pol