The FACE Report

Message from the Secretary General

Dear Members and supporters,

June has been an important month for Europe’s hunting community.

Member States approved a revised proposal to restrict the use of lead in gunshot under REACH. Following extensive engagement by FACE, its Members and partners, the transition period for lead shot has been extended from three to seven years, representing a significant improvement that better reflects practical realities, technological readiness and the needs of hunters and ammunition manufacturers across Europe.

At the same time, the European Commission continues its evaluation of the Firearms Directive. FACE remains committed to ensuring that the current framework continues to facilitate the lawful movement of hunters and sport shooters across borders. In particular, the digitalisation of the European Firearms Pass offers a practical opportunity to improve implementation and reduce administrative burdens while preserving the benefits already provided by the existing legislation.

Discussions on the future Common Agricultural Policy also continue to gather pace. As Europe shapes its agricultural policy beyond 2027, it is essential that sufficient funding is secured to properly incentivise farmers and land managers to conserve biodiversity. For the hunting community, this will be particularly important for the recovery and management of small game species and the habitats upon which they depend.

This month also marks the tenth anniversary of the European Goose Management Platform, an important milestone in the development of adaptive harvest management in Europe. The Platform demonstrates how science, monitoring and international cooperation can support conservation objectives while ensuring the sustainable use of wildlife resources. It remains one of the strongest examples of coordinated flyway-level management in Europe.

As always, thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy the June report.

Kind regards,

Dr. David Scallan
FACE Secretary General