Malta’s hunters brace for 2033 lead shot ban as ammo supply concerns grow
The European Union’s planned total ban on lead gunshot for hunting and sport shooting will take effect across Malta in 2033, after a seven-year transition period approved by the EU REACH Committee. While the restriction on lead shot in wetlands has been legally binding since February 15, 2023, Malta is only now fully aligning with the broader rule after delays in transposing the earlier regulation.
What hunters must replace — and what’s missing
Maltese hunters are expected to switch from lead shot to non-toxic alternatives such as steel, bismuth, and tungsten once the full ban applies. These materials are already in use elsewhere in Europe, but local availability remains uncertain. The Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK) warns that no proven alternative has yet been demonstrated to match lead’s performance for small migratory birds, which make up the majority of Maltese hunting activity.
The federation has stressed that firearms manufactured before 1990 may not safely handle harder steel shot, risking damage or injury. With many hunters using older shotguns passed down through generations, equipment upgrades could become unavoidable — and costly.
Import dependency drives uncertainty
Unlike mainland EU countries, Malta imports all ammunition by sea, with no domestic production or bulk distribution hubs. This creates logistical and economic friction. Local gun shops routinely list non-lead options as "contact for price and availability," with no published pricing or stock info. For many hunters, this lack of transparency makes financial planning impossible.
Steel shot is generally the cheapest alternative internationally — around 10–15% more than lead — but even this becomes less accessible when shipping costs, customs fees, and minimum order quantities are factored in. Bismuth and tungsten, while safer for vintage firearms, can cost three to ten times more than lead per round.
FKNK demands urgent market review
Facing a countdown to the 2033 deadline, FKNK is calling for a formal, government-led market assessment before the transition ends. Their request is not for a delay, but for clarity: they want data on which alternatives can realistically reach Malta, at what volume and cost, and whether local retailers can reliably stock them.
The federation is working with importers and dealers to map supply chains, but says that without official support, the burden falls unfairly on individual hunters.
Environmental impact remains a priority
BirdLife Malta continues to support the ban, citing evidence that over 44,000 tonnes of lead enter the European environment each year through hunting, fishing, and shooting — enough to kill around one million wild birds annually. Before the 2023 wetland ban, Maltese hunters were estimated to deposit 4,000–5,000 tonnes of lead shot yearly into wetlands, a figure the group says has likely decreased but not been fully documented.
Their CEO, Mark Sultana, calls the EU move a necessary correction, pointing out that even one lead pellet eaten by a bird can cause fatal poisoning. However, BirdLife has not released new local data since 2023, acknowledging gaps in monitoring.
The road ahead
The next key milestone is not in 2033, but in the next 18 months. Maltese authorities must decide whether to commission an official review of ammunition markets, or leave hunters to navigate the transition alone.
For now, the law is clear: lead shot is being phased out. But whether effective, affordable, and safe alternatives will be waiting for Maltese hunters when the clock runs out? That, still, remains unconfirmed.
