Snaring ban threatens a 'crippling blow' to biodiversity

Press Release

The Scottish Government’s intention to ban the use of snares in Scotland would deliver a crippling blow to attempts to reverse biodiversity loss, particularly for endangered ground-nesting birds, Scottish Land & Estates said today.

The government has announced a consultation on prohibiting the devices, which are used to control foxes, as part of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, which is currently at stage one in the Scottish Parliament.

SLE said measures to conserve species such as black grouse, curlew, golden plover, grey partridge, lapwing and oystercatcher – which had all shown widespread declines across Scotland since the 1960s - will be severely harmed, particularly after the recent Hunting with Dogs Act introduced stricter controls on using dogs to flush foxes from cover to waiting guns.

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“It is deeply regrettable that, at a critical moment in efforts to sustain biodiversity in rural Scotland, the Scottish Government is moving towards a ban on the use of snares, thereby removing another tool to manage predation pressure on vulnerable species.

“Ground nesting birds such as curlew and lapwing were once common but are now red-listed species and are at risk from generalist predators, including foxes. Being able to undertake sensible predator control using legally set snares has helped to ensure those birds can breed and have the chance to maintain viable populations.

“The Scottish Government’s decision comes immediately after the introduction of the Hunting with Dogs Act, which will make predator control using dogs to flush foxes more difficult. Today’s announcement, if it results in an expected ban, will make it impossible for land managers to prevent biodiversity loss in some areas of Scotland.

“We urge the Scottish Government to give consideration to retaining humane cable restraints (HCRs) – devices which are differentiated from conventional snares by the presence of two swivels; a breakaway device; as well as a stop crimped at 26cm from the running eye – which have been constructed with the principal aim of managing predation and protecting animal welfare.

“Failure to retain HCRs would constitute an abdication of responsibility on the part of the Scottish Government to do everything it possibly can to combat biodiversity loss. In a nature crisis, such an outcome is simply unconscionable.”