Debate on the e-petition on the use of snares

A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 6pm on 9 January 2023 on e-petition 600593 concerning the use of snares. The subject for the debate has been chosen by the Petitions Committee and the debate will be opened by Nick Fletcher MP.

E-petition 600593 calling for the use of free-running snares for trapping wildlife to be made illegal in England is due for debate on 9 January 2023. It has received 102,616 signatures and closed on 9 May 2022.

A snare is a wire noose attached to the ground usually set to catch foxes or rabbits round the neck as part of pest control. However, they do not distinguish between different animals so other wildlife and domestic animals can also be caught in them.

The petition calls for a ban on the sale, manufacture and use of free running snares:

• The Government should prohibit the sale, use and manufacture of freerunning snares under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, putting them in the same category as self-locking snares, which are already illegal.

• We believe that people setting free-running snares cannot ensure animal welfare as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, that such snares cause unnecessary suffering to mammals, are indiscriminate and should be banned.

For more information download the Debate on an e-petition on the use of snares.