What went right this week: the good news that matters

Britain to ban toxic lead ammunition

Lead ammunition is to be banned in England, Scotland and Wales, the UK government announced this week – a move campaigners said was an overdue win for wildlife.

According to the government, the ban will prevent the release of around 7,000 tonnes of toxic metal into fields, forests and wetlands each year. Some 100,000 wildfowl die from lead poisoning annually, with birds often confusing the scattered shot for grit and eating it.

The ban will come into effect in 2026, with a three-year transition period to allow hunters time to shift to more environmentally friendly alternatives – a timescale that some campaigners say is too generous.

Still, the move was praised by Dr Ruth Tingay, head of campaign group Raptor Persecution UK. “This announcement has been a long, long time coming,” she said. “This is an historic decision and is very welcome indeed.”

Image: Drazen Nesic