The Health & Safety Executive have published a 124 -page document (Thanks Ian!) entitled “HSE – Agency Opinion on the Annex 15 Dossier on the Proposal for a Restriction – Lead in Ammunition.”  (They do Love Their Capital Letters Don’t They?)

The document seems to be anally retentive in style while at the same time suffering from written diarrhoea!

EG: “The Agency has identified several different uses of lead ammunition for the purposes of this restriction proposal, based on technical function and operational conditions.”

The proposed restrictions appear for “outdoor target shooting” to be:-

• Shotgun ammunition – “Restriction on the placing on the market and use, with a derogation for competitive athletes.” 
  Iin English – prevent the sale, restrict the use to certain ranges, and allow Olympic competitors to use lead shot.
• Section 1 ammunition – “Restriction on the use with a derogation for use at certain sites.” 
  Again only allowing it’s use on certain ranges.
• Airgun ammunition – no restrictions.

When it comes to quarry shooting:

All shotgun ammunition – No sales, and restricting (preventing?) it’s use, and the same for fullbore ammunition above 6.17mm (.243) CALIBRE (NOT cartridge.)

Below this calibre limit, no restrictions, and none for airgun ammunition.

I know this raises FAR more questions than it answers, so I will be going though this over the next few days to try to give you a better summary, and perhaps answer one or two questions.  I’m sorry if I’m unable to answer ALL questions as the document (just look at the title) is extremely complex: EG: “Regarding CKD risk for adults, RAC noted that this was low given the conservative nature of EFSA’s BMDL.”

Mike.