New Snaring legislation imminent

An overabundance of foxes can cause enormous damage to free-range poultry flocks, newborn lambs, game birds and some of our most vulnerable upland wader species, and snares are the most effective way of controlling populations.

Those were the comments of Scottish Gamekeepers Association Alex Hogg in a statement to the Press Association.

Mr Hogg added: "Snares are a vital management and conservation tool. Modern devices are all fitted with safety stops to hold a target species and practitioners check their devices at least once every 24 hours.

"Training courses for everyone who uses snares - farmers, gamekeepers, shepherds and conservationists alike - have been developed in conjunction with the Scottish Government and are being rolled out across the country so that everyone understands the latest legislation and will be fully skilled and accredited.

"Our industry acknowledges that some organisations will always oppose particular management tools they do not like or fully understand and we are committed to ensuring that snaring will be practiced professionally for the benefit of everyone who enjoyes the biodiversity in our countryside."