1999 No. 2170

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, ENGLAND

The Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999

Made

Laid before Parliament

Coming into force

The Secretary of State–

  • having consulted the committee established1 under section 140(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 19902;

  • having published a notice in the London Gazette as required by section 140(6)(b) of that Act;

  • having considered the representations made to him in accordance with that notice;

  • considering it appropriate to make these Regulations for the purpose of preventing the substance or articles specified in them from causing pollution of the environment and harm to the health of animals; in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 1403 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation, commencement and extent1

1

These Regulations may be cited as the Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 and shall come into force on 1st September 1999.

2

These Regulations shall extend to England only.

Interpretation2

In these Regulations–

  • “authorised person” means a person authorised under regulation 4(1) below;

  • “lead shot” means any shot made of–

    1. a

      lead, or

    2. b

      any alloy or compound of lead where lead comprises more than 1% of that alloy or compound;

  • “premises” includes any land, vehicle or vessel, but does not include premises used for residential purposes;

  • “shot gun” means a smooth-bore gun but does not include any shot gun chambered for 9 millimetre or smaller rim-fire cartridges;

  • “site of special scientific interest” means an area of land notified under section 28(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 19814;

  • “wild bird” means any bird of a kind which is ordinarily resident in or is a visitor to England in a wild state.

Prohibition on use of cartridges containing lead shot3

No person shall use lead shot for the purpose of shooting with a shot gun–

a

on or over any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides;

b

on or over any site of special scientific interest included in Schedule 1 to these Regulations; or

c

any wild bird included in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

Powers of entry to determine whether the Regulations are being, or have been, complied with4

1

A person who appears suitable to the Secretary of State may be authorised in writing by the Secretary of State to exercise, in accordance with the terms of the authorisation, any of the powers specified in paragraph (2) below for the purpose of determining whether any provision of these Regulations is being, or has been, complied with.

2

The powers which an authorised person may be authorised to exercise under paragraph (1) above are–

a

to enter at any reasonable time any premises which he has reason to believe it is necessary for him to enter;

b

on entering any premises by virtue of sub-paragraph (a) above to take with him–

i

any other authorised person;

ii

if the authorised person has reasonable cause to apprehend any serious obstruction in the execution of his duty, a constable; and

iii

any equipment (other than heavy equipment) or materials required for any purpose for which the power of entry is being exercised;

c

to make such examination and investigation as may in any circumstances be necessary;

d

to take any dead or injured wild bird or to take samples, or cause samples to be taken, of any articles or substances found in or on any premises which he has power to enter and to cause any such bird or sample to by analysed or tested;

e

in the case of any such bird or sample as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) above, to take possession of it and to retain it for so long as is necessary for all or any of the following purposes, namely–

i

to examine it, or cause it to be examined, and to do, or cause to be done, to it anything which he has power to do under that sub-paragraph;

ii

to ensure that it is not tampered with before examination of it is completed;

iii

to ensure that it is available for use as evidence in any proceedings for an offence.

3

Where an authorised person proposes to enter any premises and–

a

entry has been refused and he apprehends on reasonable grounds that the use of force may be necessary to effect entry, or

b

he apprehends on reasonable grounds that entry is likely to be refused and that the use of force may be necessary to effect entry, any entry on to those premises by virtue of this regulation shall only be effected under the authority of a warrant by virtue of paragraph (4) below.

4

If it is shown to the satisfaction of a justice of the peace on sworn information in writing–

a

that there are reasonable grounds for the exercise in relation to any premises of a power under this regulation (including a power exercisable by virtue of a warrant under this paragraph), and

b

that one or more of the conditions specified in paragraph (5) below is fulfilled, the justice may by warrant authorise the Secretary of State to designate a person who shall be authorised to exercise the power in relation to those premises, in accordance with the warrant and, if need be, by force.

5

The conditions mentioned in sub-paragraph (4)(b) above are–

a

that the exercise of the power in relation to the premises has been refused;

b

that such a refusal is reasonably apprehended;

c

that the premises are unoccupied;

d

that the occupier is temporarily absent from the premises and the case is one of urgency; or

e

that an application for admission to the premises would defeat the object of the proposed entry.

6

Every warrant under paragraph (4) above shall continue in force until the purposes for which the warrant was issued have been fulfilled.

7

An authorised person, including a person designated under paragraph (4) above, shall (if so requested) produce evidence of his authority or designation.

8

An authorised person, including a person designated under paragraph (4) above, who, in exercise of any power conferred by this regulation enters on any premises which are unoccupied or whose occupier is temporarily absent, shall leave the premises as effectually secured against trespassers as he found them.

9

An authorised person, including a person designated under paragraph (4) above, shall not be liable in any civil or criminal proceedings for anything done in the purported exercise of any power conferred by this regulation if the court is satisfied that the act was done in good faith and that there were reasonable grounds for doing it.

Offences5

1

Any person who contravenes regulation 3 above or causes or permits another person to contravene that regulation shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

2

Any person who intentionally obstructs a person acting in the exercise of any power under regulation 4 above shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State

Michael MeacherMinister of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

SCHEDULE 1SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Regulation 3(b)

Site of special scientific interest

Date of notification under section 28(1)(c) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Location (Ordnance Survey Grid reference. See note below)

Abberton Reservoir

1/11/1988

TL977182

Ainsdale Sand Dunes

1/3/1984

SD287102

Alde-Ore Estuary

1/8/1985

TM442492

Alderfen Broad

1/9/1984

TG354194

Altcar Sand Dunes And Foreshore

1/8/1983

SD283032

Altcar Sand Dunes And Foreshore

1/8/1983

SD283032

Amberley Wild Brooks

19/6/1985

TQ034142

Ant Broads And Marshes

1/5/1989

TG364212

Aqualate Mere

12/1/1987

SJ773204

Arne

30/7/1986

SY963873

Attenborough Gravel Pits

1/11/1982

SK523343

Avon Valley

9/8/1985

SP066476

Avon Valley (Bickton To Christchurch)

15/10/1993

SZ144979

Bagmere

3/12/1998

SJ795644

Barn Elms Reservoir

2/2/1975

TQ228770

Barnby Broad & Marshes

16/5/1990

TM473908

Bassenthwaite Lake

29/3/1994

NY220283

Baston Fen

1/7/1984

TF131169

Belvide Reservoir

4/3/1987

SJ864102

Benfleet And Southend Marshes

1/5/1987

TQ860846

Berrington Pool

15/11/1983

SO509629

Berrington Pool

25/1/1984

SJ524072

Berry Fen

1/3/1984

TL378745

Betley Mere

15/9/1986

SJ745482

Black Firs & Cranberry Bog

15/9/1986

SJ749503

Black Hill Heath

15/12/1989

SY836941

Blackwater Estuary

12/1/1993

TL978100

Blagdon Lake

17/12/1984

ST513597

Blenheim Park

25/7/1986

SP437161

Blithfield Reservoir

2/7/1987

SK054243

Blue Pool And Norden Heaths

1/3/1985

SY937831

Bomere, Shomere And Betton Pools

26/10/1983

SJ502080

Bourne Valley

14/3/1995

SZ067927

Bracklesham Bay

21/2/1986

SZ827947

Breighton Meadows

1/4/1986

SE704328

Brenscombe Heath

7/11/1985

SY984831

Brent Reservoir

9/8/1985

TQ219874

Breydon Water

1/6/1987

TG488070

Bridgwater Bay

27/4/1989

ST278483

Broad Fen, Dilham

1/12/1983

TG343253

Brown Moss

12/7/1984

SJ561393

Brownheath Moss

22/4/1987

SJ460301

Buddon Wood And Swithland Reservoir

1/9/1984

SK559145

Bure Broads And Marshes

1/2/1991

TG350155

Burgh Common And Muckfleet Marshes

1/10/1986

TG442126

Butterburn Flow

11/11/1984

NY670762

Calthorpe Broad

1/12/1984

TG411259

Canford Heath

12/6/1985

SZ028958

Cantley Marshes

9/1/1997

TG370037

Catcott Edington And Chilton Moors

24/1/1986

ST395416

Chartley Moss

16/1/1987

SK025282

Cheddar Reservoir

26/4/1983

ST441538

Chesil & The Fleet

22/8/1986

SY597818

Chew Valley Lake

31/1/1985

ST565596

Chichester Harbour

30/7/1985

SU755002

Chingford Reservoirs

9/9/1986

TQ371954

Chippenham Fen And Snailwell Poor’s Fen

1/4/1988

TL648694

Christchurch Harbour

8/10/1986

SZ173914

Clarepool Moss

12/7/1983

SJ433342

Cole Mere

14/11/1984

SJ434332

Colne Estuary

10/3/1989

TM096121

Combe Pool

29/10/1986

SP392794

Cop Mere

17/12/1986

SJ801298

Corfe & Barrow Hills

10/3/1986

SZ002971

Cowpen Marsh

1/1/1989

NZ504251

Cranborne Common

23/8/1985

SU098114

Crostwick Marsh

1/12/1985

TG262164

Crouch And Roach Estuaries

11/4/1996

TQ847966

Curry And Hay Moors

5/3/1992

ST319271

Damgate Marshes, Acle

23/2/1993

TG413096

Dawlish Warren

9/1/1984

SX985794

Deben Estuary

18/2/1991

TM293438

Decoy Carr, Acle

1/6/1985

TG404089

Dee Estuary

9/12/1983

SJ216805

Deeping Gravel Pits

1/3/1986

TF178081

Dengie

1/3/1986

TM044031

Dersingham Bog

1/4/1986

TF672286

Derwent Ings

1/1/1983

SE704436

Drigg Coast

2/5/1986

SD074934

Ducan’s Marsh, Claxton

1/10/1986

TG339026

Duddon Estuary

27/2/1991

SD143756

Dungeness

31/3/1992

TR065181

Ebblake Bog

30/8/1985

SU105070

Eccup Reservoir

18/3/1987

SE300417

Eling And Bury Marshes

26/6/1986

SU374120

Esthwaite Water

27/2/1987

SD361962

Exe Estuary

7/10/1986

SX981842

Eye Brook Reservoir

1/7/1983

SP854955

Fairburn And Newton Ings

23/11/1984

SE455277

Fenemere

18/12/1984

SJ445228

Fenn's, Whixall And Bettisfield Mosses (England)

2/12/1983

SJ487364

Ferndown Common

21/9/1984

SZ067998

Flaxmere Moss

25/10/1984

SJ556723

Formby Sand Dunes And Foreshore

1/7/1984

SD268075

Foulness

14/10/1993

TQ998877

Foxcote Reservoir And Wood

23/3/1984

SP710366

Geldeston Meadows

1/8/1988

TM396916

Gibraltar Point

1/7/1988

TF565595

Gilkicker Lagoon

18/12/1984

SZ608977

Grafham Water

1/4/1986

TL140681

Gunton Park Lake

1/10/1986

TG220344

Hall Farm Fen, Hemsby

1/6/1986

TG480169

Halvergate Marshes

21/12/1996

TG448051

Ham Common

11/11/1987

SY982910

Hamford Water

1/7/1987

TM228254

Hanningfield Reservoir

1/5/1985

TQ733983

Hardley Flood

23/11/1990

TM380996

Hartland Moor

2/5/1986

SY953853

Hatch Mere

11/10/1984

SJ551721

Hay-A-Park

15/6/1995

SE362580

Hayle Estuary And Carrack Gladden

1/8/1983

SW542385

Hencott Pool

4/3/1985

SJ490160

Higham Ferrers Gravel Pits

1/7/1984

SP946688

Hilton Gravel Pits

20/10/1986

SK249314

Holburn Lake And Moss

1/9/1983

NU050364

Holt And West Moors Heaths

10/7/1988

SU060038

Holton Heath

14/11/1986

SY950912

Hornsea Mere

1/12/1983

TA188468

Horton Common

24/2/1984

SU075071

Humber Flats And Marshes: Barton And Barrow Clay Pits

1/7/1985

TA043235

Humber Flats And Marshes: Pyewipe And Cleethorpes Coast

1/3/1988

TA323076

Humber Flats And Marshes: Spurn Head To Saltend Flats

1/3/1985

TA344174

Humber Flats And Marshes: The Grues

1/6/1988

TA125256

Humber Flats And Marshes: Upper Humber

1/8/1987

SE955235

Hurn Common

17/12/1986

SU122000

Hurst Castle And Lymington River Estuary

5/9/1986

SZ334937

Hythe To Calshot Marshes

6/7/1984

SU454055

Inner Marsh Farm

11/2/1998

SJ307735

Inner Thames Marshes

28/10/1986

TQ531801

Kielder Mires

15/12/1995

NY603810

Kings Quay Shore

24/2/1987

SZ540940

Kings Sedgemoor

2/8/1985

ST402328

Lackford Lakes

19/8/1997

TL806707

Langstone Harbour

22/2/1985

SU691039

Langtoft Gravel Pits

1/3/1987

TF113108

Lee-On-The Solent To Itchen Estuary

27/8/1992

SU470085

Leighton Moss

29/2/1984

SD485753

Limpenhoe Meadows

1/8/1985

TG398031

Lincegrove And Hackett’s Marshes

26/10/1984

SU487088

Lindisfarne

10/3/1989

NU105422

Lions Hill

3/5/1985

SU104037

Little Paxton Wood

1/6/1989

TL169635

Lower Test Valley

2/12/1986

SU365145

Ludham – Potter Heigham Marshes

7/3/1990

TG404177

Lune Estuary

19/1/1990

SD390533

Lymington River

25/7/1997

SU290041

Lymington River Reedbeds

26/10/1984

SZ322969

Malham-Arncliffe

28/3/1988

SD902682

Martin Mere, Burscough

17/12/1984

SD419145

Marton Pool. Chirbury

26/10/1983

SJ295027

Matchams

26/4/1988

SU123005

Medina Estuary

18/7/1985

SZ508921

Medway Estuary And Marshes

24/12/1991

TQ853709

Melbourne And Thornton Ings

1/8/1985

SE736453

Mersey Estuary

15/8/1985

SJ434793

Mickletown Ings

9/11/1984

SE403275

Mid Colne Valley

1/8/1985

TQ044894

Minsmere-Walberswick Heaths And Marshes

1/5/1989

TM477734

Moorlinch

1/3/1985

ST388359

Morden Bog And Hyde Heath

19/2/1996

SY915911

Morecambe Bay

28/3/1990

SD383701

Morton Pool And Pasture

12/7/1984

SJ301239

Mucking Flats And Marshes

18/9/1991

TQ706811

Nene Washes (Whittlesey)

1/11/1983

TL302995

Newton Marsh

26/11/1986

SD450291

Newton Mask

1/5/1986

SE706496

Newtown Harbour

23/2/1995

SZ417910

Norden

29/9/1986

SY950831

North Lincolnshire Coast

23/3/1995

TA424009

North Norfolk Coast

1/2/1986

TF744446

North Solent

27/9/1990

SZ428982

Oakers Bog

29/6/1988

SY811919

Ogston Reservoir

20/10/1986

SK375602

Orwell Estuary

1/8/1985

TM231377

Oss Mere

12/7/1983

SJ564438

Ouse Washes

21/5/1984

TL474856

Pagham Harbour

30/9/1986

SZ868961

Parley Common

24/2/1984

SZ091992

Pitsford Reservoir

1/5/1984

SP778699

Poole Harbour

7/12/1990

SY988878

Poplar Farm Meadows, Langley

1/7/1985

TG370020

Portsmouth Harbour

29/10/1992

SU619001

Povington And Grange Heaths

26/3/1986

SY883834

Pulborough Brooks

1/7/1998

TQ052169

Quoisley Meres

4/2/1987

SJ548455

Redcar Rocks

1/11/1984

NZ610252

Redgrave And Lopham Fens

1/3/1985

TM048797

Rempstone Heaths

20/2/1987

SY991845

Ribble Estuary

17/12/1984

SD376257

River Derwent

1/5/1986

SE704474

River Derwent And Tributaries

11/9/1997

NY159239

Rostherne Mere

11/10/1984

SJ745841

Roudsea Wood & Mosses

28/7/1989

SD342812

Roydon Common

1/10/1984

TF685224

Rutland Water

1/4/1984

SK904081

Ryde Sands And Wootton Creek

23/3/1995

SZ610928

Rye Meads

1/1/1989

TL387101

Salcombe To Kingsbridge Estuary

6/2/1987

SX744406

Saltfleetby – Theddlethorpe Dunes

1/5/1988

TF484903

Sandford Heath

14/8/1987

SY938902

Sandwich Bay To Hacklinge Marsh

28/6/1993

TR354592

Seal Sands

1/7/1983

NZ526261

Seaton Dunes & Common

1/8/1985

NZ534281

Sevenoaks Gravel Pits

25/1/1989

TQ522569

Severn Estuary

2/2/1989

ST468836

Shallam Dyke Marshes, Thurne

1/9/1986

TG400168

Shapwick Heath

23/6/1995

ST421405

Slop Bog And Uddens Heath

23/8/1985

SU077017

Smallburgh Fen

1/8/1985

TG326245

South Gare & Coatham Sands

1/10/1988

NZ576260

South Thames Estuary And Marshes

24/12/1991

TQ724750

South Walney And Piel Channel Flats

12/12/1997

SD214647

Southlake Moor

5/2/1985

ST369301

Southport Sand Dunes And Foreshore

1/11/1983

SD302148

Sowley Pond

26/10/1984

SZ374967

Sprat’s Water And Marshes, Carlton Colville

1/8/1986

TM507922

Staines Moor

2/7/1984

TQ037733

Stanley And Alder Carrs, Aldeby

1/7/1986

TM433927

Steep Holm

16/6/1983

ST228606

Stoborough & Creech Heaths

7/2/1986

SY926842

Stodmarsh

18/7/1984

TR209610

Stour Estuary

23/12/1985

TM171329

Studland & Godlingston Heaths

7/10/1986

SZ031849

Swanholme Lakes

1/10/1985

SK943685

Sweat Mere And Crose Mere

8/11/1994

SJ432304

Tabley Mere

4/2/1985

SJ724768

Talbot Pit

21/9/1984

SZ062930

Tatton Meres

24/1/1986

SJ755802

Tealham And Tadham Moors

6/2/1985

ST422448

Thanet Coast

18/4/1990

TR308687

The Lagoons

23/3/1990

TA411176

The Mere, Mere

18/10/1985

SJ732818

The Moors

7/6/1985

SY947868

The New Forest

28/2/1996

SU224075

The Swale

20/2/1990

TQ976663

The Wash

1/5/1984

TF537411

Thorness Bay

23/2/1995

SZ458936

Thrasher’s Heath

31/3/1984

SY970838

Titchfield Haven

30/11/1983

SU541036

Tophill Low

8/12/1989

TA072484

Town Common

31/3/1994

SZ132974

Tring Reservoirs

30/3/1987

SP904130

Turbary And Kinson Commons

8/7/1988

SZ063946

Turners Puddle Heath

15/6/1990

SY831903

Turnford And Cheshunt Pits

20/4/1995

TL371024

Tweed Estuary

1/3/1988

NT993531

Upper Hamble Estuary And Woods

1/10/1987

SU505111

Upper Severn Estuary

10/2/1987

SO716062

Upper Solway Flats And Marshes

6/6/1988

NY141646

Upper Thurne Broads And Marshes

1/11/1988

TG438209

Upton Broad & Marshes

1/7/1986

TG391137

Upton Heath

12/4/1990

SY986943

Verwood Heaths

8/5/1985

SU092093

Walland Marsh

28/11/1986

TQ969252

Walmore Common

24/2/1984

SO744150

Waltham Brooks

7/5/1987

TQ026158

Walthamstow Reservoirs

1/10/1986

TQ351888

Wareham Meadows

3/12/1987

SY929874

Warmwell Heath

12/6/1987

SY755871

West Moor

12/8/1985

ST422219

West Sedgemoor

21/1/1983

ST360258

Westhay Heath

27/7/1990

ST416421

Westhay Moor

17/12/1985

ST453444

Weston Turville Reservoir

14/11/1986

SP862095

Wet Moor

20/8/1985

ST449243

White Mere

9/10/1986

SJ414329

Whitecliffe Bay And Bembridge Ledges

14/7/1986

SZ658872

Wicken Fen

1/12/1983

TL554702

Winfrith Heath

5/12/1996

SY804874

Woodwalton Fen

1/12/1985

TL231848

Woolston Eyes

18/10/1985

SJ664885

Worgret Heath

18/11/1987

SY894870

Wraysbury & Hythe End Gravel Pits

3/7/1992

TQ010737

Wretham Park Meres

1/1/1984

TL908918

Wybunbury Moss

13/6/1986

SJ697501

Wyre Estuary

27/1/1995

SD317499

Yar Estuary

18/7/1985

SZ352883

Yare Broads And Marshes

1/10/1988

TG325067

Note:The Ordnance Survey National Grid reference gives a point within the site of special scientific interest.

SCHEDULE 2WILD BIRDS IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE PROHIBITION ON SHOOTING WITH LEAD SHOT APPLIES

Regulation 3(c)

Common name

Scientific name

Coot

Fulica atra

Ducks, Geese and Swans (all species of each)

Anatidae

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

Plover, Golden

Pluvialis apricaria

Snipe, Common

Gallinago gallinago

NOTE: The common name or names given in the first column of this Schedule are included by way of guidance only; in the event of any dispute or proceedings, the common name or names shall not be taken into account.

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations (“the Regulations”), which apply to England only, prohibit the use of lead shot for shooting with a shot gun–

a

on or over any area below the high-water mark;

b

on or over the sites of special scientific interest included in Schedule 1 to the Regulations;

c

any wild bird included in Schedule 2 to the Regulations. These birds are ducks, geese and swans (all species of each); coot; moorhen; golden plover and common snipe (regulation 3).

“Lead shot” means any shot made of lead or of any alloy or compound of lead where lead comprises more than 1% of that alloy or compound (regulation 2).

Regulation 4 provides for powers of entry and inspection, a power to take samples, and a power to take any dead or injured wild birds, to determine whether any provision of the Regulations is being, or has been, complied with.

Regulation 5 provides that breach of regulation 3, or obstruction of a person exercising any power under regulation 4, is a criminal offence punishable with a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Notifications under section 28(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of sites of special scientific interest in England are registered as local land charges (section 28(11) of the 1981 Act).

Details of the area covered by the sites of special scientific interest listed in Schedule 1 to the Regulations can be obtained from English Nature at Northminster House, City Road, Peterborough, PE1 1UA.