The European Union (EU) is planning a comprehensive ban on lead ammunition for shooting and hunting. This proposal, backed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), aims to promote environmental protection and human health by restricting the use of lead. However, the consequences - for shooters, hunters and the industry as a whole - could be drastic. New studies and professional organizations such as the European Shooting Sports Forum (ESSF) and the Association of European Manufacturers of Sporting Ammunition (AFEMS) warn of far-reaching consequences that could jeopardize the continued existence of shooting sports in Europe.

Background: What does the lead ban entail?

The lead ban aims to severely restrict the sale and use of leaded ammunition in hunting and at shooting ranges. Planned transitional periods of between 18 months and five years are intended to provide time to switch to alternative materials, and exceptions are provided for certain types of shooting range, which, however, place high demands on risk management measures. The ECHA proposal distinguishes between centerfire and rimfire ammunition and provides for stricter requirements for hunting ammunition than for use in shooting sports. However, the planned restrictions would not apply to military and police facilities, which could lead to an asymmetrical regulatory landscape.

Critical assessment of costs and infrastructure requirements

In its calculations, the ECHA assumes that the necessary conversion measures for shooting ranges in the EU will cost around 1.094 billion euros. However, the ESSF, which has conducted independent studies on this, strongly disagrees with this assumption. The actual cost of upgrading shooting ranges with lead traps and water management systems could be up to 6.2 billion euros - a sum that would drive many shooting range operators to financial ruin. Less than 6% of shooting ranges outside Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands currently meet the requirements stipulated by the ECHA for the continued use of lead ammunition.

Threat to shooting sports and hunting traditions in Europe

The planned ban could result in up to 20,000 shooting ranges in the EU having to cease operations. This would not only be a bitter loss for sport shooters and hunters, but would also jeopardize a centuries-old tradition that has social and cultural significance in many countries. In particular, the diversity of European sport shooting and hunting, which includes disciplines from archery to large caliber, would be severely affected. In addition, a loss of regional shooting ranges could lead to a significant long-term decline in the training of new hunters and marksmen, who are dependent on this infrastructure.

Possible alternatives and industry lobbying

AFEMS and other stakeholders have already put forward proposals for alternative risk management measures. These include special lead trapping systems and improved labeling requirements that could reduce lead exposure without unnecessarily burdening the shooting sports industry. These proposals aim to strike a balance between environmental and health protection and the continued existence of sport shooting. Nevertheless, the future remains uncertain: although lobbying could influence the design of the regulation, the EU Commission seems determined to push through the lead ban quickly.

The future of shooting sports in Europe

The planned lead ban represents a considerable challenge for hunters, sport shooters and the associated industry. While the health and environmental arguments for reducing lead are understandable, there is a lack of realistic solutions that reconcile the requirements of the EU with the practical needs of sport shooting and hunting. The future of shooting sports in Europe could depend crucially on the forthcoming decision - and on the extent to which decision-makers heed the experts' warnings.

This article draws on analysis and input from the ESSF and other organizations, as well as recent studies on the economic and infrastructural impact of the lead ban. It shows that without flexible and well thought-out regulations, the ban on lead ammunition could have devastating consequences for the European shooting sports community