Steel shot shortage
The point is made that Europe currently has a shortage of steel shot and that a move away from lead will put more pressure on the market for raw material. Shortages will result and prices of steel shot increase.
Permissable loads higher outside UK
The statement says that citing examples of markets such as Denmark and the USA is not comparable as steel loads used in these countries use plastic cups. In addition, US and Danish regulations allow higher steel cartridge performance loads than the UK.
UK steel ammunition performance levels create tough challenges for manufacturers. The group comments: “We would like to see an increase in the performance levels allowed before we can begin to develop loads effective enough to produce clean, humane kills in the various types of shooting carried out in the UK.”
Tungsten and Bismuth are dismissed as options due to expense and limited availability. The group warns that shooters who cannot use steel in their shotguns will be faced with huge cost increases which may price many out of the sport.
It also points out that whilst there are a ‘handful of non-lead ammunition options with biodegradable wads currently on the market’ it is impossible to make them commercially viable at the current time. BASC and its fellow organisations are criticised for making a stance and imposing a time limit without understanding the manufacturing processes.
Realistic time scale
The group says that although non-lead, non-plastic alternatives are being developed this is a long process, needing research, development and investment and it will be a long time before shooters benefit from a full range of options.
Acknowledgement is made that the shooting industry needs to become more environmentally aware but the cartridge makers warn it is unrealistic to expect the small shotgun ammunition industry to lead development. It points out that as larger industries continue to invest in developing plastic alternatives this knowledge will filter down to smaller industries such as theirs.
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