SEBG News
Rural Organisations Call for 'Reason and Responsibility' in Snaring Debate
13th October 2008Leading Scottish rural organisations united today to call for 'reason and responsibility' to prevail in the ongoing debate on the use of snares in the countryside. Representatives of farmers, gamekeepers, land managers, landowners and community interests issued the following joint statement setting out their position on snaring.
"The issue has been considered in great detail by the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament recently and a decision was taken to introduce stricter controls on snaring in Scotland to allay concerns on animal welfare.
"Our organisations actively encouraged these measures to be adopted by the Government and continually demonstrate our commitment to animal welfare. Now there are yet further attempts to revisit the issue by those who will countenance only one outcome - a total ban on snaring.
"We are calling for reason and responsibility in this debate. We do not take the responsibility for predator control lightly, nor do we dismiss concerns about animal welfare.
"Farmers, through NFUS, make the case very clearly that they have a duty of care to their animals, including protecting them from predation by foxes which are known predators of lambs and also poultry and pigs reared outdoors. Attacks on livestock are very distressing so there are significant animal welfare issues to consider in this context. Farmers also believe snaring, when carried out properly, is the most humane way of dealing with foxes.
"Gamekeepers believe the retention of snaring provides significant biodiversity benefits with regard to the enhancement of Scottish wildlife. They also believe potential animal welfare issues are already addressed by the Scottish Government's recent proposals in respect of training, accreditation and specific legislation.
"A ban on snaring would also have major negative consequences, not only for the protection of many of Scotland's iconic and endangered bird species, such as the hen harrier, but also for the economic sustainability of Scotland's rural communities.
"Our organisations are wholly committed to best practice and look forward to implementing the new Practitioners' Guide on snaring which has been devised by the industry with the support of the Scottish Government.
"Our members are the people who are working day in and day out in the countryside to deliver real benefit to rural Scotland and will continue to play their part in ensuring the highest standards are met in the use of snares."
Scottish Gamekeepers Association
NFUS
Scottish Estates Business Group
Scottish Rural Property and Business Association
Scottish Countryside Alliance
British Association for Shooting and Conservation
About the Scottish Estates Business Group
SEBG represents a group of progressive land-based estates with significant agricultural and rural business interests. It aims to promote a modern business approach in the management of Scotland's land resource in ways which deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. The Group seeks to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for rural areas and its members work hard across Scotland to stimulate enterprise and economic development.
