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

S.I. 1999/2170 · made 29 July 1999

These Regulations (“the Regulations”), which apply to England only, prohibit the use of lead shot for shooting with a shot gun–on or over any area below the high-water mark;on or over the sites of special scientific interest included in Schedule 1 to the Regulations;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).

Made under: Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 140)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/environmental-protection-restriction-on-use-of-lead-shot-england-regulations-1999/pdf/uksi_19992170_en.pdf

## Introductory text

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, ENGLAND
Made 29th July 1999
Laid before Parliament 3rd August 1999
Coming into force 1st September 1999
The Secretary of State–
having consulted the committee established under section 140(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990;
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 140 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:

## 1 Citation, commencement and extent

(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.

## 2 Interpretation

In these Regulations–
“authorised person” means a person authorised under regulation 4(1) below;
“lead shot” means any shot made of–
(a) lead, or
(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 1981;
“wild bird” means any bird of a kind which is ordinarily resident in or is a visitor to England in a wild state.

## 3 Prohibition on use of cartridges containing lead shot

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.

## 4 Powers of entry to determine whether the Regulations are being, or have been, complied with

(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.

## 5 Offences

(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.

## Signature

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State
Michael Meacher
Minister of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
29th July 1999

## Schedule 1 SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

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

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

Common name
Scientific name
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.
Coot
Fulica atra
Ducks, Geese and Swans (all species of each)
Anatidae
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
Plover, Golden
Pluvialis apricaria
Snipe, Common
Gallinago gallinago

## 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.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2170 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/environmental-protection-restriction-on-use-of-lead-shot-england-regulations-1999
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.