Natural Resources Wales issue General Licence for stoat trapping

Following on from the publication of Natural England's (NE) two licences for the trapping of stoats, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued their own version of the licences on April 2nd. While it was a day late, owing to complications caused by COVID-19, the licences are short, understandable, workable and fit for purpose. NRW had issued draft licences some weeks previously, and undertaken lengthy meetings with all stakeholders, including the Countryside Alliance. We are delighted to see that they have taken on board and resolved every point that we raised. The licences tackle the issue of complying with the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) in the least burdensome manner.

While NRW should be rightly praised for their approach and sensible level of consultation, it begs the question: why have NE produced their licences for stoat trapping that are over twice the length, more complex and more restrictive? Clearly NRW are satisfied that the shortened versions are legal, and that should be the same for NE. This is something we will be raising with NE in due course, in the hope that the licences will be amended when they are re-issued.

You can see the Welsh licences here.