SEPTEMBER 2026
Message from the Secretary General
Dear Members and supporters,
While August was relatively quiet in Brussels, September has begun with several key files under discussion.
The REACH restriction on lead shot has now entered its final scrutiny phase. After years of engagement, the final text is fundamentally different from the original proposal: bullets and slugs have been removed entirely from its scope, while the transition period for lead shot has been extended to seven years. FACE considers this outcome workable. Our priority must now be to use the transition period effectively and ensure that hunters across Europe have access to suitable ammunition, clear information and practical support.
EU policies relevant to game and wildlife also remain high on the agenda. FACE is closely following the European Commission’s “stress test” of the Birds and Habitats Directives and the development of National Restoration Plans. These discussions underline the need for practical implementation, adequate funding and the meaningful involvement of hunters and other land managers. The same applies to the future Common Agricultural Policy, where measures supporting healthy habitats and diverse farm landscapes can strengthen agricultural resilience while improving conditions for small game.
As we prepare to welcome FACE Members and partners to our General Assembly in Brussels next week, we look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our collective work. The General Assembly programme brings together several meetings and events, including a high-level discussion with the EU Commissioner for Environment at the European Parliament. The challenges facing Europe’s hunting community are significant, but so too are the opportunities to demonstrate the contribution that hunters make to conservation, wildlife management and rural Europe.
We hope you enjoy the combined August/September monthly report.
Dr. David Scallan
Secretary General
What’s happening this month?
