The Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs has agreed to a Plaid Cymru request supported by an Assembly Committee to ban non-code compliant snares on Welsh Government public land.
Snaring is a method of pest control that poses a risk to the welfare of target and non-target species.
The cross-party National Assembly’s Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee recommended careful use of snares as a last resort, through the implementation of the ‘Code of best practice on the use of snares in fox control’.
During questions in the Senedd Plaid Cymru’s Simon Thomas pressed the Cabinet Secretary to act on the recommendation to ban non-code compliant snares on the Welsh Government’s public land.
Mid and West AM Simon Thomas, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs said:
“The use of snares which does not comply with the Welsh Government’s own code on land owned by the Government should be prohibited. I welcome the positive step from the Cabinet Secretary that snares on government land will comply with the Welsh Government’s own code for efficiency. This is a step forward for the welfare of wild animals.
“As the Committee found in its inquiry on the use of snares, there is a lack of evidence on the scale, efficacy, and humaneness of snare-use in Wales. Given the risks posed to animal welfare, including that of non-target species, it needs to be ensured that the current approach is backed up by firm evidence.
“Immediate action is needed to strengthen regulation if the data shows that the current approach under the code is not efficient and humane.”
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
