New research: lead levels in pheasant meat haven’t reduced two years on from voluntary transition to non-toxic shot.


Two years ago a group of shooting organisations, including BASC and the Countryside alliance, announced a five-year, voluntary transition away from using toxic lead shot in the UK. 

New research, reported yesterday in The Guardian, has shown that to date, this voluntary phase-out has had no measurable effect in reducing the levels of lead in pheasant meat. Of 215 birds found to containing pellets or pellet fragments, 99.5% were shown to have been shot using lead.

In response to the news, Wild Justice said: “Another 12 months of zero progress from the shooting industry. All talk and no action. UK governments should simply ban the use of lead ammunition rather than let this charade continue.”