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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Decision against animal snare ban | Decision against animal snare ban |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish Government has decided against a ban on animal snares. | The Scottish Government has decided against a ban on animal snares. |
| Environment Minister Mike Russell said alternatives to the wire traps were not always suitable, and an effective form of predator control was vital. | Environment Minister Mike Russell said alternatives to the wire traps were not always suitable, and an effective form of predator control was vital. |
| However, the Scottish Government said that there would be a clampdown on their use and that interfering with them may become a criminal offence. | |
| Campaigners have been calling for a ban on the manufacture, sale and use of animal snares. | Campaigners have been calling for a ban on the manufacture, sale and use of animal snares. |
| Mr Russell told the Scottish Parliament that strong arguments had been put forward on both sides of the debate. | Mr Russell told the Scottish Parliament that strong arguments had been put forward on both sides of the debate. |
| But he said the control of animals, such as foxes, through snares helped maintain Scotland's world-famous £240m shooting industry, boost conservation and biodiversity projects and helped farmers protect their animals. | But he said the control of animals, such as foxes, through snares helped maintain Scotland's world-famous £240m shooting industry, boost conservation and biodiversity projects and helped farmers protect their animals. |
| Tightening regulations or introducing a licensing system is not going to address animal suffering Libby AndersonAdvocates for Animals | |
| Welfare group Advocates for Animals has maintained that snares have caught and killed protected species like badgers and otters, as well as pets. | |
| Mr Russell announced a series of measures on the use of snares, such as the compulsory fitting of safety stops, ID tags and marking areas where snaring takes place with signs. | Mr Russell announced a series of measures on the use of snares, such as the compulsory fitting of safety stops, ID tags and marking areas where snaring takes place with signs. |
| He pointed to findings by the British Veterinary Association that "in some circumstances, snaring might be the least inhumane method where control is necessary". | |
| "By implementing this package, Scotland will have established the best possible practice in terms of animal welfare, while allowing effective land management to continue with all the economic and conservation benefits that accrue," the minister told MSPs. | |
| "We will also be sending a clear signal to those wildlife cowboys and criminals who use snares illegally and indiscriminately that their methods will be vigorously pursued and punished." | |
| Pro-ban campaigners stood outside the Scottish Parliament | |
| The government's strategy followed calls from a range of rural groups for a strictly enforced industry code of practice to ensure responsible snare use. | |
| Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said: "We appreciate that the minister has come under serious pressure from some organisations for an outright ban on their use. | |
| "However, these organisations have highlighted misuse of snares by poachers and by amateurs on urban fringes to make their case." | |
| Advocates for Animals political director Libby Anderson, said: "Tightening regulations or introducing a licensing system is not going to address animal suffering, or stop the accidental capture of protected species and people's pets, which is inevitable with these indiscriminate traps." | |
| The campaign to ban snares has also been led by the League Against Cruel Sports, backed by high-profile figures including Queen guitarist Brian May, actresses Joanna Lumley and Annette Crosby, and UN Messenger of Peace and chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall. | The campaign to ban snares has also been led by the League Against Cruel Sports, backed by high-profile figures including Queen guitarist Brian May, actresses Joanna Lumley and Annette Crosby, and UN Messenger of Peace and chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall. |