DEFRA Lead Action Group

[Salopian]

Everyone,

We must draw up the battle lines NOW.

This group has been drawn up at the behest of the RSPB who are vehemently opposed to using lead shot, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and the Animal Rights Group.

Amongst its member panel we have John Swift (Chair) John Harradine BASC, John Batley (along for the meal ticket and drinks?)former BASC Council member,Mark Avery who hates Lead.

So be prepared to see Lead banned within 12 months UNLESS you do something.

Can I remind you all that BASC issued a statement saying that they would embrace change and allow Lead to be phased out when a suitable, viable, readily available, economic alternative was available. Since making that statement about 15 years ago, nothing has been found that meets the criteria.

No scientific evidence has been published or come into the public domain showing that Lead shot is as harmful as they would have us believe. Give us the facts then have the debate.

Only one organisation seems to be opposed to further sanctions, that is the Countryside Alliance.

I urge all of us to lobby BASC, resign our membership of BASC if necessary and join CA. Do it now before Lead is banned.

 

I found this information in this weeks Shooting Times page 4&5

You can find out more on www.foi.gov.uk also send a request for information of developments to helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

 

What is BASC upto? Against organised pigeon shooting, against gamebird farming, against the use of lead shot.

I thought they defended shooting? Perhaps they do! For the wealthy who can afford driven game shooting with Bismuth.

[webber]

Lead ammunition group to be formed

22 March 2010

 

 

A group is being brought together to advise Defra and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on issues connected with the use of lead ammunition. The group will consult widely and convene a range of sub-groups involving relevant stakeholders and experts to assist its work. Defra will provide the secretariat and arrangements are being made for a first meeting in April under the chairmanship of John Swift, chief executive of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).

 

BASC's policy, supported unanimously by its elected council, states: BASC will continue to oppose any unwarranted restrictions on lead shot use. Restrictions must be science-based and proportionate. Debates about possible restrictions must fully involve shooting interests

 

 

John Swift said “The aim of the Lead Ammunition Group is to bring together stakeholders from all interested parties to address a wide range of topics concerning lead ammunition. The group is tasked with identifying any significant threats as well as any perceived threats that are not significant. The group is to advise on options for managing any risks, knowledge gaps and communication issues. It is essential that the sub-groups are as inclusive as possible and balanced and fair in their investigations and findings. At the end of the first year a written progress report will be submitted to Defra and FSA. Our scope is limited to England but the devolved administrations will be kept informed and FSA has a UK-wide remit.

 

The Lead Ammunition Group will be made up of representatives covering shooting, conservation, the gun trade, animal welfare, the rural economy, land use and food health and hygiene.

 

John Swift said “No political party has proposals to further limit the use of lead ammunition. This is an advisory process which will in due course feed into the formulation of future policy after consideration of all the evidence. Defra has initiated the process, but it will be led by stakeholders and we must all ensure that work goes forward on a sound footing.” ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

The working group will include representatives drawn from BASC, the Gun Trade Association, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Countryside Alliance, the RSPB, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the Universities’ Federation for Animal Welfare, the Institute for Environmental Health, and the Food Standards Agency. Other organisations and experts will be included in specialist subgroups.

 

For more information please call the BASC press office on 01244 573031

[Shuck.]

Why do I have a feeling that even if developments into the structure of lead shot, neutrilizing its damaging effects, that they would still be pushing to ban it..

 

Personally I think all this lead talk is the thin end of the wedge.

[Blunderbuss]

Getting a bit confused now as there are at least 3 threads on the lead ban This is important and it would be a bad thing IMHO to dilute the debate. Maybe the mods could merge them for clarity?

 

But seeing as this is posted in clay shooting, what is the CPSA's position on this?

[Cranfield]

If we merge all the posts on this subject, the posts will appear in the eventual thread in date and time order.

Therefore , posts made on the same thread replying to the previous post, when merged with other posts now inbetween, may not make much sense.

 

We will keep this thread separate as it is in the Clay Shooting section, but the main thread is in General Shooting Matters.

[Blunderbuss]

Fair dos.

[Salopian]

Cranfield ( Moderators)

Thank you for your reply, I deliberately posted on the clay forum to try and galvanise clayshooters into action.

[BlaserF3]

Salopian,

 

I am not being funny, but when have clay shooters been galvanised into action about anything?

[MC]

Salopian,

 

I am not being funny, but when have clay shooters been galvanised into action about anything?

 

 

And that is the reason the CPSA aren't involved. They are only interested in skeet and trap shooting and you don't need the ballistic qualities of lead for either