The voluntary ban has been instigated by the major game shooting organisations in the UK to encourage shooters to switch to non lead shot. Legally there is no requirement to do so.
The five year period will allow manufacturers to clear their stock of lead shot and hopefully come up with suitable alternatives.
After the five years government will legislate ,there may be exemptions for older weapons or for those shooting game for their own consumption. The large commercial shoots will probably have no option other than to switch to non lead shot after the five year period is up as may we all.
Shooters are well aware of how antis operate here in the UK having come through a raft of legislation banning an array of firearms and having to comply with ever more licensing ,there is no need to state the obvious .
This voluntary ban is just voluntary over a five year period there will be no need to switch from lead during that period . After the five years there will be a compulsory ban or more simply a ban.

Last edited by Konor3inch; 02/27/20 08:49 PM. Reason: Clarification