A promise to phase out toxic lead shot in the UK has failed – resulting in continued harm to wildlife and the environment. Despite a pledge by the UK's leading shooting organizations to phase out lead shot by 2025, a recent study has shown that lead ammunition is still being widely used, and it is having devastating consequences for both animals and humans. It's time for the government to step in and enforce a full ban on lead ammunition to protect wildlife, the environment, and public health.
Sign the petition to demand the UK government ban lead ammunition and prevent further harm to wildlife and human health.
The voluntary transition away from lead ammunition was intended to reduce the amount of toxic lead entering our environment, but a recent study of pheasants and grouse killed in the 2024-25 shooting season revealed that nearly all of the carcasses had been shot with lead pellets. Birds often mistake these toxic pellets for seeds, leading to lead poisoning. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust estimates that lead poisoning kills up to 100,000 waterbirds every winter in the UK alone.
Lead is also a significant threat to human health. Even small concentrations of lead can be toxic, particularly to young children and pregnant women, and many food safety agencies advise against consuming game meat killed with lead ammunition. We cannot afford to ignore the mounting evidence that lead ammunition is a danger to both wildlife and human health.
The Health and Safety Executive has recommended that the use of lead shot for live quarry shooting and target shooting be prohibited, but despite this, some groups continue to oppose a full ban. We cannot allow the interests of a few to outweigh the protection of wildlife and public health. The UK must follow Europe's lead and impose a ban on lead ammunition to prevent the estimated 7,000 tonnes of lead that enter the environment each year.
Sign the petition to demand the UK government act on the Health and Safety Executive's recommendation and implement a full ban on lead ammunition.
