Lead Ammunition Still Used in Grouse Hunting Despite Health Concerns

The tradition of grouse hunting in the UK remains prevalent, with approximately 650,000 birds hunted annually. However, the ongoing use of lead-based shotgun ammunition raises significant health and environmental concerns. Although five years ago hunting associations pledged to phase out lead ammunition voluntarily, recent studies indicate that the transition has not been effectively implemented.

Lead, a toxic heavy metal, poses health risks to both humans and wildlife. In Germany, lead ammunition is still commonly used not only for bird hunting but also for larger game such as wild boar, deer, and elk. While there has been a ban on lead ammunition in and around wetlands for several years, the use of lead continues in other hunting contexts.

According to experts from the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU), lead poses dangers particularly to waterfowl, which may mistakenly ingest lead pellets, mistaking them for small stones or sand. Birds of prey and scavengers are also at risk of lead poisoning. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has previously warned that wild game meat can be heavily contaminated with lead residues from ammunition.

Recent research conducted in the UK examined 128 grouse from the 2024/25 hunting season, revealing that 78 of these birds contained lead pellets. Similarly, of the 255 pheasants inspected during the same period, 99% of any remaining pellets were found to be made of lead. Alarmingly, even in the meat of grouse that did not contain visible lead pellets, researchers detected lead concentrations exceeding safe limits for livestock, attributed to tiny lead fragments that are too small to see.

The findings from these studies indicate that the anticipated voluntary transition away from lead ammunition has been unsuccessful, both for grouse and pheasant hunting. In Denmark, however, a complete ban on lead ammunition has been enacted since 2022, showcasing a proactive approach to environmental health.

While certain regions in Germany have moved toward a lead-free hunting policy, notably in state forests and wildlife reserves, discussions are ongoing at the EU level regarding a comprehensive ban on lead ammunition. Experts like Catherina Schlüter from NABU emphasize the importance of these discussions in light of the health risks associated with lead.

The German Hunting Association (DJV) has reiterated its commitment to reducing lead content in ammunition according to current technological standards but has acknowledged the challenges involved in instituting a complete ban. Significant modifications to shooting ranges and the associated costs, which could reach up to two million euros per range, pose substantial barriers. Moreover, the fact that many hunters possess firearms incompatible with non-lead ammunition complicates the transition further.