Snare ban comes into force in Wales

The use of snares will be banned in Wales from 17 October 2023, as the Government delivers yet another blow to species conservation. Anyone found guilty of using a snare could face imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. Possessing a snare will not be considered an offence, only using one.

The legislation also bans the use of glue traps.

The Countryside Alliance has been an active member of the working group that developed the Welsh Government’s code of practice for the use of snares in fox control. The code specifies the use of an improved device, the Humane Cable Restraint, which reduces the risk of capturing non-target species, and thus significantly improves welfare standards. In response to the proposed legislation, the Alliance and other rural organisations called for a ban on snares that were not code compliant, yet this was ignored at the time by Government officials.

Promoting the Humane Cable Restraint to Welsh Government as a credible alternative has proven to be exceptionally difficult. Minister Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, refused to acknowledge a meeting which she herself suggested. The Minister rubber-stamped her refusal to consider Humane Cable Restraints by referring to “restraints” in her recent statement setting out a complete ban.

Matthew Goodall, Head of Education and Regional Advisor at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust said: "The Minister was not wrong to say that snares are sometimes called restraints, as some might call a ‘snare’ a ‘fox restraint’ and vice versa. However, she has completely missed the mark when it comes to the 'Humane Cable Restraint'. Previously known as the 'code-complaint snare', the term Humane Cable Restraint was developed to better describe and highlight the differences between the modern live-capture, humane restraining device and the inhumane snares of old.”

“The term ‘snare’ is still used internationally to describe killing devices which strangle animals to death, whereas the Humane Cable Restraint, when set in accordance with the Code of Practice, is much more selective and restrains caught animals alive and unharmed. This statement is backed up by GWCT scientific research which demonstrated the Humane Cable Restraint surpasses the standards set within the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards which Wales as part of the UK is signed up to.”

Rachel Evans, Countryside Alliance Director for Wales said: “Whilst we can question the way that this legislation came to fruition and the evidence behind the decision - which we believe risks hampering conservation efforts to protect rare ground nesting birds such as curlew - it is here and coming into force on the 17th of October. I urge members and supporters to adhere to the law and to spread the message that the use of snares and glue traps is banned from the 17th of October 2023 in Wales.” 

Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Snares, sometimes referred to as cable restraints, cause a great deal of suffering to animals and are indiscriminate as they can harm species they are not intended for such as otters, dogs and cats.”

“The banning of snares is a Programme for Government commitment and we have been working towards this day for a long time with partners and stakeholders”, she added.