Question reference: S5W-22891
- Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 1 May 2019
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 May 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported recent incidents, including those involving pets being caught in snares, what its response is to claims that its legislation governing snaring is not fit for purpose and the calls for it to legislate to make the sale, use and manufacture of snares illegal.
Answer
A review into snaring every 5 years is required by Section 11F of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) undertook a review in 2016 and the outcome was published in 2017. This found that snaring-related incidents have reduced following snaring regulations introduced through the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 and the Snares (Scotland) Order 2010. The SNH review also made recommendations that will further improve snaring practices and components.
The Scottish Government is considering these recommendations.