BASC has noted the publication of a report on the use of snares in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee.
While BASC supports the Committee’s endorsement of the Welsh Government’s code of best practice on snares, the association would have liked to see a greater appreciation of the importance of properly conducted snaring as an essential wildlife management tool.
BASC is pleased that the committee believes that the Welsh Government’s code of best practice on the use of snares in fox control “if properly implemented and enforced, offers a means of controlling the use of snares in Wales”.
Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and deer management, said: “BASC has worked with the Welsh Government and others in the production and promotion of the Welsh Government’s Code of best practice on the use of snares in fox control and we will continue to do so.
“The Code itself seeks to deliver the highest animal welfare standards, increased efficiency in terms of fox control, and minimise risk to non-target species. It sets out legal requirements and gives best practice guidance.
“We would have also liked to have seen better recognition of the importance of snaring to protect young livestock, sporting, wildlife and conservation interests. A strategically set snare will catch foxes when other methods of control either won’t work or are impractical and it remains an essential method of pest and predator control.
“Any one setting a snare should comply with the code, if they do not then they risk the future of snaring.”
Ian Grindy, a member of BASC Council and chairman of its game shooting and gamekeeping committee, said: “Snaring is a critically important wildlife management tool on shoots. I urge all practitioners to comply with its sensible guidance.”
Mr Evans addressed a meeting of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee in November.
The meeting was held to discuss the use of snares in Wales following the submission of a petition to ban the manufacture, sale and use of snares in Wales by the League Against Cruel Sports.
You can find out more on snaring on the BASC page here.
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