A landmark ban on the use of snares comes into force in Scotland on Monday, drawing praise from wildlife groups who are urging the UK Government to implement a similar prohibition in England. The decision leaves England as the only country in Great Britain where these controversial traps remain legal.
The ban, part of Scotland’s Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act 2024, follows a similar move by Wales in October 2023, when the Agriculture (Wales) Act outlawed snares. Campaigners argue that the Labour Party must now step up to honour its manifesto promise to ban the devices, which they describe as barbaric and inhumane, in England.
Luke Steele, Executive Director of Wild Moors, hailed the Scottish ban as a major victory. “Foxes and other wildlife endure immense suffering when caught in snares,” he said. “We welcome the Labour Party’s commitment to prohibit these barbaric devices in England and encourage them to join Scotland and Wales in protecting wildlife with a ban on snares without delay.”
Snares, thin wire loops designed to catch and immobilise animals, are primarily used on shooting estates to control predators and maintain high stocks of game birds such as grouse, pheasants and partridges. Critics, however, describe them as cruel and indiscriminate, citing government figures that estimate up to 200,000 snares are set across England at any given time.
“These traps tighten around the neck, torso, or legs of their victims, causing immense pain and suffering before the animal is either shot or dies slowly,” said Mr Steele. Research from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has found that nearly three-quarters of animals caught are non-target species. Victims include hares, badgers, otters and even domestic pets.
Efforts by the shooting industry to rebrand snares as “humane cable restraints” have been dismissed by both the Scottish and Welsh governments. Critics argue that such terminology masks the inherent cruelty of the devices.
Wildlife protection organisations, including Wild Moors, the League Against Cruel Sports and Animal Aid, are now turning their focus south of the border. They warn that the absence of a ban in England risks creating a haven for practices already outlawed elsewhere in Great Britain.
With public and political pressure mounting, campaigners hope that England will soon follow the example set by its neighbours, bringing the country one step closer to ending what they describe as an archaic and unnecessary practice.
Image credit: Hans Veth
