Scotland has become the second UK administration to implement a full ban on  wire snares to capture wild animals, such as foxes and rabbits.  Measures introduced in the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 and commenced on Monday 25 November now prohibit all setting and use of these traps in Scotland.  A similar ban was introduced in Wales in October 2023. 

Libby Anderson, Chair of the UK Centre for Animal Law Scottish Committee, said:

“This day has been long awaited.  The Scottish Government had an opportunity to ban snares as part of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, but it chose not to do so. A little progress was made, however, with the introduction of training and identification requirements and this seems to have led to a reduction in the use of snares in Scotland.

“It is very welcome to see that attitudes have changed.  This time, Ministers listened to advice from the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission and animal welfare advocacy groups about the harm that snares cause to animals.  They held the line in the face of efforts to rebrand snares as ‘humane cable restraints’ and even to derail the commencement of the legislation once it was passed.

“Huge credit is due to animal welfare groups such as OneKind and the League Against Cruel Sports and their supporters, whose campaigns drew on evidence from organisations such as the Scottish SPCA, Wild Animal Welfare Committee and British Veterinary Association.  A-LAW has also done its bit, working with colleagues on amendments intended to strengthen the measures.  

“It has been an inspiration to see dedicated individuals and groups working together to improve protection for our wild animals. All eyes are now turning on England to see if and when it will follow the example of Scotland and Wales and consign primitive snares to history.”