Building on the success of training courses so far, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is urging all those who use snares for agricultural and wildlife management to be fully trained and be in possession of the required certificate and user ID number before 1 April 2013.
It will be illegal to set a fox or rabbit snare after 1st April 2013 without the operator’s ID number attached. This ID number can only be obtained by presenting a recognised training course certificate to the local police who will in turn issue the individual ID number.
GWCT will be hosting another snare training course on Saturday, March 16 near Stenton, East Lothian for those operators who have not yet gained a certificate.
“This course is an opportunity for those farmers, land managers and gamekeepers who have not yet got their snare training certificate. It is a last chance before the 1st of April deadline after which it will be illegal to set a snare without an operator ID number attached,” said Hugo Straker, senior advisor, GWCT.
“This course 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.”
Fox and rabbit control in Scotland is necessary to ensure that damage to crops, livestock, trees, game and other wildlife and their habitats can be reduced to acceptable levels to maintain Scotland’s unique rural biodiversity. Snaring is a vital tool to achieve these ends in Scotland due to diverse landscape and types of cover.
This new legislation must be adhered to in order to retain snaring as an effective means of pest control and practitioners must be vigilant in correctly operating these devices.
On successful completion of the course and when a certificate has been issued, 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.
For further information and to book your training (£48 inc VAT per person), please contact Irene Johnston, tel: 01738 551511, 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