New snare code launched

In Scotland snares must now be checked at least every 24 hours

By Selena Masson

Friday, 05 February 2010

The Scottish Government has unveiled its long awaited guide to the use of snares as well as new training courses

Shooting groups have commended the Scottish Government’s new laws on the use of snares, which will come into force on 11 March.

The 2010 Snares (Scotland) Order will mean that snares must be checked at least once every day at intervals of no more than 24 hours to make sure they are free-running. It also states that snares must be fitted with a safety stop at a length determined by the intended target species and must be staked to the ground or attached to prevent them being dragged. Snares must also be set in locations where the target species can be safely restrained.

BASC Scotland’s Dr Colin Shedden said that the association welcomed the introduction of this legislation, as it reinforced the advice already contained in the Snaring in Scotland: A Practitioners’ Guide, which was published by the industry last year. He said: “We are always seeking to improve the welfare of animals restrained by snares and to reduce the risk to non-target species and this new legislation will help.”

The rest of this article appears in 3rd February issue of Shooting Times.