‘Another nail in the coffin of grassroots conservation'

Keepers and conservationists react to a suggestion the Government may bring in new legislation regarding snares, revealed in a letter

- Matt Cross

Defra may be preparing to move against the use of snares to control common pests and predators.

In a letter to animal rights organisation Animal Aid, Defra minister Rebecca Pow said: “Snares can cause immense suffering to both target and non-target animals. It is an issue we are looking at closely in order to maintain the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

“We have recently announced in our action plan for animal welfare that we will launch a call for evidence on the use of snares.”

Ms Pow’s letter continued: “The Government has no current plans to ban the use of snares.