The Government has today (19 March) launched a public consultation on the introduction of new and improved international humane trapping standards.
Views are being sought on the implementation proposals for the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards and to gather information on the supply, use and marking of traps to better inform impact assessment.
These measures will ensure gamekeepers, country estates and pest control companies are trapping certain species of animals in a humane fashion. Depending on the responses to the consultation, Government wants to implement the new standards on 1 January 2019.
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said:
We are committed to supporting a strong rural economy and upholding countryside traditions and we want to do this in a way that respects wildlife and the environment.
I would therefore encourage people with an interest in this area to contribute their views.
Today’s consultation is asking for views from the gamekeeping sector, trap retailers, manufacturers and importers, pest control companies, country estates/farms, and importers of products derived from trapped animals.
People can respond using the Citizen Space survey.
The Government will respond to the consultation shortly after the six-week consultation ends.