Should snares be banned? Scottish Government launches consultation on 'inhumane' traps
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A complete ban on snare traps is being proposed as part of a Scottish Government consultation on wildlife management.
The government has launched a consultation on whether there should be an outright ban on the traps or if any exemptions should be considered.
Snares are thin wire nooses used for catching wild animals for the purposes of wildlife management. The government says there are more humane approaches available and wants land managers to use these methods instead.
Under current legislation in Scotland, snares can be used to catch foxes, hares and rabbits if they are used in accordance with certain requirements. Their use is largely illegal around Europe, with the exception of Belgium, France, Ireland, Spain, Latvia and the United Kingdom.
Environment minister Gillian Martin said: “Snare traps lead to unnecessary suffering for animals and these proposals are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that wildlife management is both sustainable and humane.
“Currently, only a small number of farmers and land managers use snare traps. More effective and humane forms of managing wildlife are available and we will continue to support the industry to make use of these methods."
The consultation is also asking for opinions on extending the investigative powers of the Scottish SPCA – a new measure which it is aimed at helping tackle wildlife crime.
This will involve giving SSPCA inspectors more authority to search, examine and seize evidence related to incidents of illegal hunting and other offences related to wildlife persecution.
Ms Martin added: “Wildlife crime and the illegal killing of wild mammals continues to blight our rural communities. By extending the investigative powers of SSPCA inspectors, we can ensure that the destructive impact that these criminals have on our environment is diminished and that they are brought to justice.”
Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “The Scottish SPCA strongly supports this announcement by the Scottish Government. As Scotland’s animal welfare charity, we have long called for an outright ban on the use of snares due to the level of suffering an animal is caused.
“Animals that are caught in snares can be caused unimaginable physical and mental anguish. Following reports from members of the public, we have found domestic animals, protected species and target animals that have all suffered dreadfully in both illegal and legal snares.
“A ban on all snaring is the only way to stop this unacceptable suffering. We are very pleased with the announcement of a ban, which will be a historic moment for animal welfare in Scotland."
Subject to consultation, the new provisions would be included in the Scottish Government’s upcoming Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill which will aim to protect the environment and help end the persecution of birds of prey.
The consultation, available at https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/wildlife-management-in-scotland-2023, began on Tuesday and runs until October 3.
New 'humane' devices are the answer
The Scottish Gamekeepers Association said it wanted to see snares replaced by new "humane holding devices" rather than banned completely.
Its chairman Alex Hogg said: “We recommend banning existing snare types for sale and use and in Scotland and allowing trained, regulated operators only to transition to new humane holding devices which represent a step-change in animal welfare.
"These new devices should be legally available to trained operators only, with ID tags to be obtained from Police Scotland.
"When Scottish Animal Welfare Commission recommended a snare ban, they did so without having seen these new devices in field operation in Scotland.
"We feel these new devices strike exactly the right balance between animal welfare and the needs of land managers."
The group said it did not support giving more powers to the SSPCA and insisted Police Scotland have the powers and know-how to tackle cases of wildlife crime.
Meanwhile, Scottish Land and Estates said banning snares would hamper biodiversity efforts.
Ross Ewing, director of moorland at Scottish Land and Estates, also back the idea of moving towards "humane cable restraints".
He said: “It is deeply regrettable that, at a critical moment in efforts to sustain biodiversity in rural Scotland, the Scottish Government is moving towards a ban on the use of snares, thereby removing another tool to manage predation pressure on vulnerable species.
“Ground nesting birds such as curlew and lapwing were once common but are now red-listed species and are at risk from generalist predators, including foxes. Being able to undertake sensible predator control using legally set snares has helped to ensure those birds can breed and have the chance to maintain viable populations."
Welcome message on 'torture' traps
Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind supported the proposal to ban snares, decribing them as archaic traps used to ensure the shooting industry has a surplus of birds to shoot.
Director Bob Elliot said: "We are delighted that the Scottish Government has finally announced their intention to consign snares to Scotland’s history books. The regulation of snares has failed to protect animals from the extreme physical and mental suffering caused by these archaic devices.
"Furthermore, 76 per cent of the Scottish public support a snaring ban on the use and sale of snares.
"Nothing short of a full ban will put an end to the suffering inflicted by snares."
OneKind’s patron, wildlife TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham said: "These torture devices ought to have been banned a long time ago and I’m glad that the Scottish Government has finally recognised snares for the unacceptably cruel traps that they are."
