The FACE Report

Dear Members and supporters,

October marked an important step in the EU lead shot restriction, with scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council concluding without opposition. Following years of engagement by FACE and its Members, the final text provides a seven-year transition and entirely excludes bullets and slugs. These substantial improvements provide a workable basis for moving forward. With formal adoption and publication now awaited, our priority will be to support Members on practical implementation and ensure that hunters have access to suitable ammunition, clear information and advice throughout the transition.

Nature conservation policy remains central to our agenda, particularly the stress test of the Birds and Habitats Directives, implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation and the future Common Agricultural Policy.

Across these files, FACE continues to press for workable rules, decisions based on sound science and meaningful involvement of hunters in policy development and delivery. The first coordinated international Quail monitoring by six FACE Members demonstrates how our membership can strengthen the evidence informing conservation and hunting decisions. Our ongoing work on agricultural measures for small game and migratory birds also seeks to ensure that EU policy supports effective habitat management on the ground.

FACE has also contributed to the evaluation of the Firearms Directive, highlighting the need to simplify cross-border travel for hunters, improve the European Firearms Pass and provide clearer information on national requirements. These practical priorities reflect the importance of bringing Members’ experience directly into EU discussions. I thank our Members and working group experts for their continued contributions across this demanding policy agenda.

We hope you enjoy the October monthly report.