Heritage Minister urged to ban cruel snares in Ireland

There are renewed calls on the Minister for Heritage to ban snares in Ireland, following bans in Wales and Scotland.

In an appeal to Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, we urged them to recognise the inherent cruelty of snares and urgently act to introduce a ban in Ireland.

We told them that snares were banned in Wales in 2023. In a statement coinciding with the start of the ban, the Welsh Government commented: “Snares, sometimes referred to as cable restraints, cause a great deal of suffering to animals and are indiscriminate as they can harm species they are not intended for such as otters, dogs and cats. An animal caught in a snare can endure acute pain and suffering.” https://www.gov.wales/historic-total-ban-snares-and-glue-traps-use-comes-force

In the same statement, Billie-Jade Thomas, senior public affairs manager at RSPCA Cymru condemned snares as “cruel, indiscriminate and totally unnecessary” and highlighted that snares “have the potential to cause immeasurable suffering to animals.”

Snares were also banned in Scotland in March 2024 after the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill.

The then-Environment Minister, Gillian Martin MSP, who introduced an amendment to ban snares (as recommended by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission), stated: “I believe that this parliament can no longer ignore the weight of evidence that snares lead to unacceptable levels of suffering, not just for wild animals but for domestic animals which can become trapped in them. The decision to ban the use of snares is not one that has been taken lightly, or quickly, and my decision takes into account the wealth of evidence and opinion, that has been presented in parliament over the years on this matter. Unfortunately, even when snares are used in very strict accordance with the conditions set out in the Wildlife and Countryside Act, they remain by their nature, indiscriminate, and as such they pose an unacceptable risk to non-target species including other wildlife including endangered ones and domestic species such as cats.”

Last year, Paul Murphy TD called on Minister O’Brien to ban snares in Ireland. In his 13 June 2023 Dail Question, Deputy Murphy (Solidarity – People Before Profit) asked the Minister “if he agrees that Ireland should follow the example of Wales, which is poised to ban them and if he will take actions to ensure that this happens”.

In his response, Minister O’Brien said that the National Parks and Wildlife Service division of his department “has commenced a project to review and update wildlife legislation”. He described this as “an extensive review” and a “multi-year project”.

“It will examine closely the effectiveness of our legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity,” the Minister stated. “The review includes the Wildlife Act, which, in part, regulates the use of snares in Ireland.”

“The matter raised in the Question will be considered as part of that review,” he added.

Snares are extremely cruel and can cause horrific injuries and prolonged suffering to trapped animals. It’s time for the Irish Government to ban them.

ACTION ALERT

Urge Heritage Ministers Darragh O’Brien and Malcolm Noonan to ban snares in Ireland.

Heritage Minister Darragh O’Brien (Fianna Fail, Dublin Fingal)
Tel: (01) 618 3802 OR (086) 251 9893
Email: minister@housing.gov.ie; darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie
Leave a message on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DarraghOBrienTD
Tweet to Minister O’Brien: http://twitter.com/DarraghOBrienTD

Malcolm Noonan (Green Party, Carlow Kilkenny)
Minister of State for Heritage
Tel: (01) 618 3148 OR (01) 618 3156
Email: mos@housing.gov.ie; malcolm.noonan@oireachtas.ie
Leave a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinisterMalcolmNoonan/
Tweet to Minister of State Noonan: https://twitter.com/noonan_malcolm

SEE ALSO

Paul Murphy TD calls for a ban on snares in Ireland
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2023/06/14/paul-murphy-td-calls-for-a-ban-on-snares-in-ireland/

Donedeal bans ads for animal snares
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2023/05/23/donedeal-bans-ads-for-animal-snares/

Snares are banned in Scotland!
https://www.animalaid.org.uk/snares-banned-scotland/