'No excuse' to use snares to kill wildlife, says Highland MSP
A Highland MSP says there is 'simply no excuse' for using snares to trap wildlife in the 21st Century.
Green MSP Ariane Burgess has welcomed the launch earlier this week of a consultation by the Scottish Government into a ban on the use of the wire traps.
The Scottish Greens, who have an agreement with the SNP, had a manifesto pledge to ban the use of snares as well as spring traps, stink pits and cage traps, which the party says are often used on grouse moors.
Ms Burgess said: “Trapping animals in snares is cruel, barbaric and needs to end. These traps can inflict deep wounds, internal organ damage and death. There is simply no excuse for this to still be happening in a modern Scotland, where we know we need to protect our wildlife, not eradicate it.
“Thousands of snares and traps litter Scotland's countryside and indiscriminately kill, maim and wound our wildlife. Up to 70 per cent of animals caught in snares are not the species the traps were set for.
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“Scottish Greens have long called for these to be outlawed. I welcome that the Scottish Government is moving closer to a ban and would urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation.
“Just this week a ban on snares was made into law in Wales. It’s time for Scotland to follow suit.”
But Scottish Land & Estates has said any such ban would deliver a crippling blow to attempts to reverse biodiversity loss, particularly for endangered ground-nesting birds
SLE Director Ross Ewing 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."
He added: “We urge the Scottish Government to give consideration to retaining humane cable restraints (HCRs) – devices which are differentiated from conventional snares by the presence of two swivels; a breakaway device; as well as a stop crimped at 26cm from the running eye – which have been constructed with the principal aim of managing predation and protecting animal welfare."
The consultation began on Tuesday and runs until October 3.
