Snares — [Martin Vickers in the Chair]

Representing a balanced viewpoint, Jim Shannon emphasized the importance of conservation and supporting farmers while advocating for humane cable restraints as an essential tool against fox predation. He cited declining lapwing populations in Strangford lough due to predation by foxes and highlighted that modern humane cable restraints are designed with humane standards. Agreed with the hon. Member for Hindmarsh on the need for humane restraints as an alternative to traditional snares, expressing concern about the predation of foxes and other mammals affecting ground-nesting birds such as curlew, lapwing, and plover.

Snares should be banned due to public opinion polling showing over three quarters of the population supporting a ban. The Government should introduce legislation on this issue given there is not much business holding them up.

The hon. Member has described a situation involving horrific suffering to animals, which the petitioners are deeply concerned about. Asked the hon. Member for his views on DEFRA's independent working group on snaring and their paper detailing the suffering and injuries animals experience when snared.

The UK is blessed with beautiful wildlife, but the use of snares poses a cruel risk to animals. Free-running snares often capture non-target species and can degrade into illegal self-locking snares. Despite voluntary codes of practice in England, compliance is low and monitoring difficult due to private land usage. A badger cub incident highlights the indiscriminate nature of snares, causing severe injuries or death to animals caught. The Scottish Government's review recommended a complete ban on snare use.

Olivia Blake highlighted the indiscriminate cruelty of snares, noting that 68% of caught animals are not target species and many suffer from capture myopathy. She cited DEFRA research showing that 60% of fox snare users admit capturing non-target species, including cats and dogs, over a three-year period. Blake argued for alternatives to snares such as trap and release, electric fencing, and habitat protection.

Patricia Gibson praised the work of organisations like the League Against Cruel Sports for promoting animal welfare. She noted that over 102,000 people signed a petition to prohibit free-running snares in the UK. Gibson highlighted that nearly 30% of rabbit snare operators have caught cats, causing severe injuries or death. She also mentioned an independent grouse moor management group report which concluded that traps are not always used according to regulations and can cause unintended harm. The Minister talked about how the law, as it currently stands, would prevent suffering. Clearly, the law is not being observed. She asked if any prosecutions have been brought due to such suffering.

Ms Maskell argued that snares are cruel and cause significant suffering, referencing a petition signed by over 102,616 people. She noted the discrepancy between the number of snared animals and the intended target species, such as only 35% being foxes while hares and badgers made up larger percentages. Ms Maskell emphasized that 75% of captured animals are unintended, leading to unnecessary suffering including death from starvation or predation. She inquired about a timeframe for bringing forward legislation potentially leading to a ban on the use of snares, which is what Labour Members would like to see.

Emphasised the need for humane tools in predator control to protect livestock and wildlife, mentioning foxes preying on lambs, piglets, and poultry. Highlighted the importance of game shooting for rural communities and its positive impact on ground-nesting birds through heather management practices. Suggested that cable restraints are a humane alternative to traditional snares, preventing strangulation and allowing smaller animals to escape unharmed. Asked whether deterrence methods would be suitable for protecting birds like lapwings and curlews across vast North Yorkshire Moors areas where snares are used.

Ruth Jones praised the hon. Member for Don Valley for introducing the debate, noting that over 102,000 people signed a petition in support of banning snares. She highlighted the lack of action by the UK Government despite promises made in the past and the contrast with Wales, which is moving towards a ban on snares. Jones described the negative impact of free-running snares on animals, including deaths due to self-locking mechanisms or attacks by other animals. She called for a ban on snares as proposed by numerous animal welfare charities and supported by 73% of UK adults in a poll. She quickly confirmed that the Minister stated she would issue a call for evidence by the end of January.

She expressed concern over the Government's response to snares, highlighting that research found almost three-quarters of the public support a ban. She questioned the voluntary code of best practice for snares and its enforcement, stressing the need for the Department to revisit studies on compliance.