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Wales votes in favour of snare ban
According to research by Defra, nearly 75 per cent of animals caught in snares are not the intended species.

The first UK nation to make steps towards ban.

The Welsh parliament has voted in favour of banning snares. The vote took place on Tuesday, 16 May, and was part of the third stage of a debate on the Agriculture (Wales) Bill.

The legislative process will now move to its fourth and final stage, when Senedd is expected to ratify the bill, subject to King’s consent. A ban will come into force two months after receiving royal assent. 

Snares are wire traps used by famers and gamekeepers to catch foxes, rabbits and brown hares. Under the Animal Welfare Act (2006), operators are responsible for avoiding the unnecessary suffering of any captured animal, and they are urged to understand and follow the relevant code of practice.

Even when used responsibly, the devices trap indiscriminately, and according to research by Defra, nearly 75 per cent of animals caught in snares are not the intended species. They can catch animals such as deer, badgers, and even domestic dogs and cats.

Wales is the first country in the UK to make steps towards a snare ban, and the vote follows five years of campaigning by UK animal welfare charity, the League Against Cruel Sports.

Will Morton, head of public affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports said: “Wales is leading the way in animal welfare by being the first country to ban these cruel and indiscriminate traps. 

“We thank the thousands of campaigners who are backing the ban in Wales and the MSs who gave cross party support to make it become a reality."
 
The charity now plan to lobby the UK and Scottish governments to enact similar legislation in England and Scotland.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.