For those of you who are non UK residents, the United Kingdon comprises of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each has its own Parliament.
Great news – on June 27th, members of the Senedd in Wales voted through a total ban on snares as part of the Agriculture (Wales) Bill.
The next step is to make sure that this historic achievement is replicated by English, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments.
Snares are often used in areas to ‘protect’ the millions of purpose bred gamebirds (until the start of the shooting season) which are then shot and killed for fun by hunters each year – the sick ‘sport’ as they call it. In the UK, lots of wildlife conservation organisations do not allow the use of snares on their land; which proves that despite the arguments put forward by the hunting fraternity, the use of snares is not necessary in modern conservation.
Snares are not selective as they often catch non targeted animals such as dogs, cats, and even our loved and protected badgers.
The ban on snares in Wales has been a difficult and long campaign; especially with pressure from pro-shooting lobbyists who wanted to allow the continued use of snares under a new name of ‘humane cable restraints’. There is nothing humane about snares, they are simple killers, and yes, animals are restrained until their deaths which can be long and cause great suffering.
The Minister for Rural Affairs in Wales, Lesley Griffiths, stood firm and rejected the allowance of ‘humane cable restraints’ by the hunters; citing animal welfare concerns and the indiscriminate nature of snares, which can cause long term suffering to many species.
The victory in Wales is a wonderful result for the movement and one which will save countless animals from appalling suffering. We thank the Welsh government (Senedd) for their decisive action to protect all animals from suffering. The next step is to make sure that this historic achievement in Wales is replicated in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Scottish government already has the issue under review, and there is an opportunity ton ban snares under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill which is currently in its early stages.
England and NI; a parliamentary petition on nares obtained more than the 100,000 signatures required, resulting last year in a Westminster (London) debate in Parliament at the tart of this year. Sadly, as we all know the regard current animal welfare s, the government is again dragging its feet in taking any action. I wrote about this recently – https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2023/08/11/england-here-we-go-again-government-bullshit-promises-on-actions-already-making-their-way-through-parliament-which-would-have-given-animals-more-protection/
It is now vital that pressure on snares is kept on MP’s and the government; and that they know that action to ban nars throughout the UK is taken. As a General Election is not far away now, there is never a better time to let the government know that in your opinion, THEY are failing animal in every sense.
Regard Mark
World Animals Voice 