Snaring dominates Holyrood debate

Members of the Scottish Parliament today debated Stage 1 of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill with snaring and wildlife crime dominating much of the proceedings. It was widely agreed that snaring was one of the most contentious and emotive issues within the Bill which had prompted strong feelings on both sides of the debate.

Every MSP who spoke in the debate touched upon snaring to some degree ranging from Labour's Sarah Boyack pledging support for a complete ban to John Scott, a Conservative member, voicing support for the continued use of snares but with tighter regulations. Among the proposals outlined in the Environment and Rural Affairs Committee's Stage 1 report was the suggestion of enabling powers within the Bill to allow for a review of the regulations after five years with a view to a complete ban should the regulations be failing. This was widely supported with some members agreeing to suggestions that five years was too long and a two year period would be more appropriate. 

Despite the Environment Committee's recommendations stopping short of support for a complete ban and instead favouring the route of regulations the League will continue to push for an outright ban through an amendment at Stage 2 of the Bill. 

The Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham closed the debate by telling Parliament that the consequences of banning snaring to rural Scotland would be serious. As far as we're concerned the consequences of not banning snaring to animal welfare would in fact be far more serious.