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Promise to phase out lead from UK game shooting has failed, study finds (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 1 week ago by GreyShuck@feddit.uk to c/nature@feddit.uk

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A voluntary promise to phase out toxic lead shot in the UK has failed, meaning wildlife and human health are being put at risk, a study has found.

The vow, made in February 2020 by the UK’s nine leading game shooting and rural organisations, aimed to benefit wildlife and the environment and keep toxic lead out of the human food chain. They aimed to phase lead shot out by 2025, and hoped to avoid a full government ban. It is recommended birds are shot with non-toxic cartridges made of metals such as steel instead.

A study of 171 pheasants killed in the 2024-25 shooting season found that where any shot was still in the carcass all but one had been killed with lead ammunition. The team also analysed shotgun pellets found in red grouse carcasses shot in the same season and on sale through butchers’ shops and online retailers. In all 78 grouse carcasses from which any shot was recovered, the shot was lead.

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[–] ALiteralCabbage@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago

It reads (to me) like they promised to not use lead shot to avoid a total ban for whatever reason - I don't shoot, so I don't know if there's some benefit to lead over other material for shotgun cartridges which makes it worth dropping noxious materials all over the place.

When it comes to enforcement it's pretty much a pointless cause. You only need to look at the list of "banned" or "restricted" so-called country pursuits and you'll see an equal list of thins5you can spot if you'd go for a short walk a few miles beyond most towns.