The Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2170) came into force on 1 September 1999 banning the use of lead shot over English wetlands. The ban applies to Sites of Special Scientific Interest of importance to water fowl and in all areas below the high water mark, as well as to any shooting of duck, geese and certain other species. It is hoped that the measures will save thousands of birds’ lives, following Government estimates that 2-3% of mallard across the UK and up to 5% of some water fowl species in some areas are killed after ingesting lead shot. Lead shot is defined as any shot made of lead or of any alloy or compound of lead where lead comprises more than 1% of that alloy or compound.
(SO, August 1999)
