§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress his Department is making in discussions with interested parties concerning development of alternatives to lead shot; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanMy Department set up a working group with interested parties on 31 October 1991 to develop a programme for introducing non-toxic shot and phasing-out lead shot in wetland areas.
The group has concluded that a target for commercial quantities of non-toxic shot for 12-bore shotguns to be available by September 1995 is feasible. The group intends that the majority of lead shooting over wetlands should be phased-out by September 1997; a ban on lead shot could operate from that date. The group will continue to pursue these objectives.