A close vote to recommend ending the use of snares in Northern Ireland threatens to remove an essential tool in predator and pest control, according to the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
The Environment Committee at Stormont voted by just four votes to three to recommend a ban on the use of snares in the province as part of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill. The Bill still has to be put before the Northern Ireland Assembly for approval later this year. The committee has also recommended that curlew and golden plover are taken off the quarry list.
BASC Director for Northern Ireland, Roger Pollen said “This was an exceedingly close vote, taken when not all members of the committee were present. We believe snares are an essential tool in the control of predators which threaten both gamebirds and other ground- nesting birds, including many which have protected status. BASC will be lobbying to see this decision overturned before the Bill is passed into law.”
“We will also be questioning the rationale behind the recommendation to remove curlew and golden plover from the quarry list as there is no evidence we have seen which points to shooting being responsible for a decline in populations. “ ENDS
For more information please call BASC Northern Ireland on 028 9260 5050 or the
BASC press office on 01244 573031