The Fight Against Toxic Lead Shot

Most pheasants sold for food in the UK 'contain lead shot,' a function of "pay to shoot" carnage in which the rich shoot upwards of 50 pheasants in a day -- far more than they can eat.  The overage is sold as food in commercial markets -- something entirely illegal in the US. 

At "the shoots" in the UK, the "guns" are paying £30 a pheasant, yet some nobs still complain about the differential cost between lead and bitumin shells.

In 2000 BASC, the Countryside Alliance, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Moorland Association, the National Gamekeeper Organization, the British Game Alliance, Scottish Land & Estates, Country Land Association, and the Scottish Association for Country Sports issued a joint statement on the future of shotgun ammunition for live quarry shooting which, reads, in part:

In consideration of wildlife, the environment and to ensure a market for the healthiest game products, at home and abroad, we wish to see an end to both lead and single-use plastics in ammunition used by those taking all live quarry with shotguns within five years. The shooting community must maintain its place at the forefront of wildlife conservation and protection. Sustainability in our practices is of utmost importance. 

Many years ago, wetland restrictions demanded a move away from lead shot and we believe it is necessary to begin a further phased transition. Recently, there have been significant developments in the quality and availability of non-lead shotgun cartridges, and plastic cases can now be recycled.

Adding urgency to the change is the fact that Waitrose, Britain’s largest retailer of game, is to ban the sale of birds shot with lead, as experts call on the government to ban its use.