Part 1Wildlife management

Snares

I16Prohibition of use of snares

1

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is amended as follows.

2

In section 11 (prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild animals)—

a

for subsection (1)(a) and (aa) substitute—

ab

sets in position or otherwise uses a snare for the purpose of killing any animal other than a wild bird,

ac

sets in position or otherwise uses a snare, other than a snare that is operated by hand, for the purpose of taking any animal other than a wild bird,

ad

uses a snare which is of a nature or is placed (or both) so as to be likely to cause bodily injury to any animal (other than a wild bird) coming into contact with it,

b

subsection (1A) is repealed,

c

in subsection (2)—

i

in paragraph (a), the words “or snare” are repealed,

ii

after paragraph (a), insert—

aa

uses a snare for the purpose of killing any wild animal included in Schedule 6 or 6ZA,

ab

uses a snare, other than a snare that is operated by hand, for the purpose of taking or restraining any wild animal included in Schedule 6 or 6ZA,

d

in subsection (3C), in the closing words, for “an order under subsection (1)(a)” substitute “regulations under subsection (3CA)”,

e

after subsection (3C), insert—

3CA

The Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify types of snare for the purpose of subsection (3C).

3

Sections 11A to 11F are repealed.

4

In section 16 (power to grant licences)—

a

in subsection (1A)—

i

the word “and” immediately following paragraph (a) is repealed,

ii

after paragraph (b) insert—

c

must not grant a licence for any purpose mentioned in subsection (1) that permits the use of a snare to kill a wild bird, and

d

must not grant a licence for any purpose mentioned in subsection (1)(cb) to (k) that permits the use of a snare to take a wild bird.

b

in subsection (3), in the opening words, the word “, 11C” is repealed,

c

after subsection (3) insert—

3ZZA

The appropriate authority must not grant a licence for any purpose mentioned in subsection (3) that permits the use of a snare.

d

in subsection (3ZA), in the opening words, in both places they occur, the words “or snare” are repealed,

e

in subsection (3ZB)—

i

in paragraph (a), the words “or snare” are repealed,

ii

in paragraph (b), the words “or snare” are repealed,

iii

in paragraph (c), the words “or snare” are repealed,

f

in subsection (3ZC), in both places they occur, the words “or snare” are repealed,

g

in subsection (3ZD), in both places they occur, the words “or snare” are repealed,

h

in subsection (3ZE), in paragraph (a), the words “and snares” are repealed,

i

in subsection (3ZG), in the opening words, the words “or snare” are repealed,

j

in subsection (3ZH), in paragraph (a), the words “or snare” are repealed,

k

in subsection (3ZI)—

i

in paragraph (a), the words “or snares” are repealed,

ii

in paragraph (b), the words “or snares” are repealed,

iii

in paragraph (c), the words “or snares” are repealed.

5

In section 17—

a

in the opening words, the words “, an identification number under section 11A(4)” are repealed,

b

the title of the section becomes False statements made for obtaining registration or licence etc..

6

In section 21 (penalties)—

a

in subsection (1A), paragraphs (e) to (g) are repealed,

b

in subsection (1C), paragraph (e) is repealed.

7

In section 26 (regulations, orders, notices etc.)—

a

in subsection (2), at the end of paragraph (e) (as inserted by section 7(5)(a) of this Act) insert

; and

f

regulations under section 11(3CA),

b

in subsection (3), at the end of paragraph (e) (as inserted by section 7(5)(b) of this Act) insert

; or

f

regulations under section 11(3CA),