A ban on the use of snare traps in Scotland has moved passed Stage 2 of its parliamentary journey.
As part of Stage 2 of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill, the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee voted in favour of Environment Minister Gillian Martin’s amendment to ban the use of snares.
If it is passed by parliament at Stage 3, the bill will implement measures aimed at introducing more effective and sustainable wildlife management practices.
During her committee appearance, Martin said: “This parliament can no longer ignore the weight of evidence that snares lead to unacceptable levels of suffering, not just for wild animals, but for domestic animals which can also become trapped in them.
“I recognise that control of predators is necessary in order to protect vulnerable species, as well as livestock and agriculture.
“But I am confident that a ban on the use of snares would not prevent anyone from undertaking necessary wildlife management and that there are still sufficient alternative methods of predator control that can be used.”
Martin said the government has “paid close attention” to the evidence, to what stakeholders have shared in terms of their experiences, as well as its consultation on the matter before taking this decision.
The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill was first introduced to parliament on March 21, 2023.
Welsh snare ban
Wales’s total ban on the use of snares and glue traps came into force last year on October 17.
Welsh Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths, announced the ban on September 26 and said that it will prevent “indiscriminate suffering” to animals.
From October 17, the use of snares and glue traps was made illegal in Wales, and anyone found guilty of using a snare can face imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both.
Speaking on the ban, Griffiths said: “We strive for the very highest standards of animal welfare in Wales, and the use of snares and glue traps are incompatible with what we want to achieve.
“Many animals will now be spared the most terrible suffering as a result of this ban. I’m proud Wales is the first of the UK nations to introduce such a move.
“The banning of snares and glue traps is not about preventing predator or rodent control. There are other more humane ways to do this,” she said.
