UKPSA Statement on Government’s Lead Ammunition Ban

The United Kingdom Practical Shooting Association (UKPSA) notes with disappointment today’s announcement that lead-based ammunition will be phased out in England, Scotland, and Wales from summer 2026, with a three-year transition period.

While we support responsible environmental policy and the goal of reducing harmful materials in shooting sports, we are deeply concerned that this policy has been introduced with a compressed timeline and announced without clear assurances on the availability, suitability, or affordability of non-lead alternatives, particularly for practical shotgun discipline. This approach presents a serious threat to athlete development, international competitiveness, and club viability in Great Britain. 

The UKPSA is actively exploring all options in response to a policy that disproportionately affects target shooting athletes and infrastructure. We, alongside two other national bodies, submitted a formal request to DEFRA to discuss how the lead ban’s impact on target shooting might be reduced without undermining the ban’s objectives and discuss potential derogation for IPSC athletes. To date, DEFRA has not responded, and we remain committed to pursuing every available route to secure fair representation for our sport.

We urge the Government to reconsider its approach, to engage in open dialogue with the practical shooting community, and to support the requirements of the GB team (which currently includes  the IPSC Junior and Super Senior Standard World Champions and 10 European Championship medalists), as they prepare to represent Great Britain at future International competitions including the 2026 IPSC World Shoot in Greece. We remain keen to work constructively with policymakers, manufacturers and other stakeholders to ensure all our disciplines continue – responsibly, sustainably and competitively – across Great Britain.

For further info please contact: DoPA@ukpsa.org