Another tranche of Scottish Government approved Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) fox and rabbit snaring training courses will be held this February to bring game and wildlife managers up to speed with the latest legislation and essential training requirements.
This is an opportunity to be fully compliant with various aspects under the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act. There is now a legal obligation for anyone wishing to set a snare to sit a Scottish Government approved training course. Successful candidates will be awarded a certificate which must then be presented to the local police who in turn will issue the individual with a unique ID number. It will be illegal to set a fox or rabbit snare after 1st April 2013 without the operator's ID number attached.
“We would urge all those who do not have the required certification* to apply for these courses,” said course co-ordinator Hugo Straker, senior advisor GWCT.
“It is essential that anyone practicing gamekeeping, wildlife or land management is fully aware of their training needs. Every session will highlight the fundamental importance of animal welfare and will provide a clear legal steer as well as useful hands-on tips through practical demonstrations.”
*Those who have sat a snaring course run by either GWCT, SGA or BASC during or after May 2010 need not re-sit the course. Those who sat the course in March or April 2010 should contact the training provider and ask for their original certificate to be re-issued with current date. For those trained by GWCT the deadline for requesting a re-issued certificate is 1st March 2013.
Our next courses in Scotland are scheduled as follows:
- Mellerstain, Gordon, Berwickshire - Tuesday 5 February 2013. 10am-1.30pm
- Carnell, Hurlford, Ayrshire - Friday 8 February 2013. 10am-1.30pm
- Cherrytrees, Yetholm, Roxburghshire – Tuesday 12 February 2013. 1pm-4.30pm
- Lindertis, by Kirriemuir, Angus - Friday 15 February 2013, am and pm
Cost for snare training is £40 + VAT per person.
Snaring operators who have successfully completed an approved snaring course and have a valid certificate (*see above) should apply now at their local police station for a unique identification number which must be attached to all snares set from 1st April 2013. An application form should be completed and taken to your local police station with your original snaring certificate, proof of identity (passport/driving licence), a passport photo and £20 fee.
Identification numbers are not required to be used until 1st April 2013 which should allow sufficient time for applications to be processed and the ID number issued to each snaring operator. The application form is also available to download from the Scottish Government website, along with further details as they emerge.
For further information and to book your training, please contact Irene Johnston, tel: 01738 551511or email: scottishhq@gwct.org.uk
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Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Playfair Walker
Telephone: 0131 445 5570
Email: richard@playfairwalker.com