Could the EU lead shot restriction have been stopped? What really happened behind the scenes, and what role did FACE play in shaping the final outcome?

In this episode of We, the Hunters, we speak with FACE President Dr Laurens Hoedemaker about the EU decision-making process, the myths and misconceptions surrounding the lead ammunition debate, and the negotiations that led to significant changes in the proposed restriction.

The first proposals included an 18-month transition period and covered a much broader range of ammunition. Following years of engagement by FACE, national hunting associations, Member States and supportive Members of the European Parliament, the final text provides a seven-year transition period and excludes bullets and slugs, limiting the restriction to lead shot.

What were the risks of reopening the legislative process? Was stopping the restriction ever a realistic option? And what does the decision mean for Europe’s seven million hunters?

We discuss the political realities, the compromises, the role of hunting organisations in Brussels, and the challenges ahead as hunters prepare for the transition.

An open conversation about what happened, what was achieved, and why understanding the EU decision-making process matters.