Anti-snare campaigners in Holyrood plea

Published on Tuesday 4 March 2008 21:00

ANIMAL-RIGHTS campaigners have accused ministers of ignoring public opinion when they rejected calls for a ban on snares.

Those demanding a total ban took their case – and a petition of nearly 8,000 names – to the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Louise Robertson, of the League Against Cruel Sports, told MSPs only a complete ban would "stop the suffering which is caused by the use of snares".

She appeared before Holyrood's public petitions committee less than two weeks after Mike Russell, the environment minister, ruled out a ban.

Instead, he said the Scottish Government would bring in new controls to limit the use of snares, along with measures aimed at reducing the unnecessary suffering of animals.

Ms Robertson, appearing with Libby Anderson, of the campaign group Advocates for Animals, said: "We're here seeking a complete ban on the manufacture, possession, sale and use of all snares in Scotland."

She told MSPs that as well as their petition, which was signed by 7,988 people, a survey in February last year had found 75 per cent believed the use of the devices was unacceptable.

The committee agreed to look into the matter.