Major success for ESC and FITASC in lead dispute

The ESC and FITASC welcome a significant positive development in the ongoing discussions with the European Commission regarding the future use of lead shot in clay target shooting.

After more than six years of technical, scientific and political work with the European Chemicals Agency and European institutions, the ESC and FITASC have successfully secured several key achievements in the latest draft regulation:

- A permanent derogation allowing the continued use of lead shot for clay target sport shooting;
- Removal of any time limitation on this derogation;
- Official recognition of pH management as an effective environmental measure to prevent lead migration.

These achievements represent an important victory for athletes, clubs, event organisers, manufacturers and the entire shooting community across Europe. However, the process is not yet finished.

If the regulation passes in its current form, unrealistic environmental costs will force many clubs to switch entirely to steel shot. Due to bad ballistics, higher cartridge pressure, and louder noise, this shift could close down up to 50% of European shooting ranges and crush the entire market by 50% to 60%.

The ESC and FITASC consider these remaining rules unfair and financially impossible for clubs. We are actively fighting to amend the draft on two crucial points:

- Only one protective measure: Ranges should choose just one local solution (including soil pH management) instead of being forced to pay for multiple costly walls, nets, or banks;

- Flexible lead recovery: Clubs must not be forced to collect spent lead strictly every three years. They should only do it when the amount of lead on the ground is large enough to pay for the recovery process itself.

To secure these two critical changes, the ESC and FITASC are calling on the entire shooting community including national federations, clubs, athletes, coaches, range operators, manufacturers and industry partners to remain united and actively support the final phase of this effort.

The full text of the official appeal is available on our website.

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