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

Explanatory Note

(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.