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'Ban snares' call by MSP wins little support from Holyrood colleagues
'Ban snares' call by MSP wins little support from Holyrood colleagues
A deer found in a snare by children was freed, treated and released Photograph courtesy of the sspca
Mark Entwistle
markentwistle@tweeddalepress.co.uk
THE only way to end the suffering of countless animals trapped in snares every year in areas such as the Borders is to ban such traps outright, according to a local MSP.
South of Scotland Scottish Nationalist Christine Grahame is calling on government ministers to rethink the country's new regulations on snares.
She says proposals to introduce a licensing scheme for individuals who use snares in rural Scotland will not work and will not put an end to the "horrific ordeal" that animals go through when trapped.
Ms Grahame, convener of Holyrood's cross-party group on animal welfare, said: "Snares may be cheap, low-maintenance traps, but the suffering that they cause to wild animals, farmed animals and pets is far too high a price to pay for their continued use.
"Only last week, a badger was released in the Borders after recovering from a horrific ordeal in a snare, but far too many don't get that second chance. Making Scotland snare-free would send out a clear message that Scotland is not cruel to its animals, but kind."
Her views are not echoed by fellow politicians representing the Borders. Lib Dem MSP and Yarrow Valley farmer Jim Hume said pest control was a vital element of land management practices.
He told TheSouthern: "Pest control is part of the management of any piece of land, and all measures taken to control pests and predators must be consistent with the highest possible standards of animal welfare. The new regulations aim to ensure that snares are used in the most humane way possible."
John Lamont, Conservative MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, added: "In rural areas such as the Borders, the control of vermin is vital, and it is therefore important that properly regulated snaring remains an option for land-owners."
Jeremy Purvis the Lib Dem MSP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale, said it was a complex issue. He went on: "When the bill was going through the Parliament, I specifically spoke with gamekeepers. I understand the argument put forward by Ms Grahame, but it is a weaker one when it is made without the knowledge of how gamekeepers and those that work the land operate.
"I was pleased that SNP ministers took a cautious position and moved towards a strict licensing system that can be scrutinised and monitored."
Rules governing the way animals can be snared came into force earlier this year, despite a high-profile campaign to have the traps banned.
By law, snares must now be checked at least once a day, nooses must not tighten beyond a certain point and the traps must be anchored to stop them being dragged by a captured animal. They cannot be left in a way that could leave an animaL suspended or at risk of drowning.
Peeblesshire gamekeeper and chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Alex Hogg, defended snares as a vital weapon in the armoury of association members.
He told us: "Snares are a very necessary for gamekeepers and we support the measures to make sure everyone who uses snares is properly trained.
"That is why we are keen to get so many people through our training on using snares correctly (more than 600 people to date). It makes things more professional."
Anti-snaring groups still hope MSPs will be able to ban the practice completely by amending the new Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill, introduced last month.
Advocate for Animals launched its Snare Free campaign outside the Scottish Parliament last week.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently released a badger back into the wild after it was found trapped and injured by a snare in the Borders.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn from the charity told us: "In the absence of a ban on snaring, we welcome further efforts to restrict and control snare use in the interests of animal welfare. In particular, the introduction of compulsory identity tags on snares may help detect and prosecute those who misuse snares.
"However, non-target species will continue to be caught, often dying a slow and painful death. We have long campaigned for an outright ban on snares. As long as snaring continues, suffering will continue and the only way to prevent this is to move to a complete ban."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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