Ayr MSP caught in snare row

Mar 11 2011 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE noose has tightened around a politician – after he backed the use of snares.

Conservative MSP John Scott is in the stocks after his comments supporting the trapping device.

His remarks, made in the Scottish parliament, have sparked fury among animal welfare campaigners.

And the Ayr MSP has been criticised for voting against a ban on the controversial contraptions.

He was one of 72 politicians who voted to keep snares legal in this country.

But it was Mr Scott’s comments in the Holyrood chamber which have angered protestors.

The debate, which took place last week, considered a change to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.

An amendment to ban snares had been proposed by MSP Irene Oldfather.

But Mr Scott said: “Like others, I am aware that snaring is a very emotive subject.

“I share the concerns of many who are opposed to snaring.

“However, the Scottish Conservatives continue to believe that snaring is an important tool for predator control for the reasons that the minister outlined, so regrettably we will not be supporting Irene Oldfather’s amendment five, in line with evidence led before the committee and the committee’s conclusions.”

Mr Scott went on to explain that other methods of predator control are not always available.

He added: “The snare is the only viable fox-culling method in the field that has been assessed for humaneness against an international standard.”

Snares, which are anchored cable or wire nooses, are set to catch wild animals.

They work by trapping an animal around the neck or body and then tightening to restrain the catch.

But campaigners have long insisted that the suffering endured by animals should lead to a ban on the traps.

Yvonne Mann, a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said: “Our country is totally barbaric for continuing to use these snares.”

And fellow MSP Cathy Jamieson, who voted for the ban, insists she’s disappointed by the outcome.

She added: “I’ve been contacted by hundreds of constituents on this matter.

“And I know that my colleagues within the Labour party will be revisiting this should they be re-elected in May.”

However, Mr Scott has defending his position and insists snaring remains a legal and neccesary tool.

He said: “Recent legislation, notably the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the Snares (Scotland) Order 2010, has imposed substantial restrictions on the use of snaring.

“However, snaring – strictly within the law – remains a necessary land management tool, although as technology in this area develops I believe we should move to better monitoring of snares, more non lethal methods of control to protect wildlife and livestock.

“In the meantime, I believe that there is still an opportunity to drive up animal welfare standards and that the way in which this can best be achieved is through promoting constructive engagement between ministers, countryside and land management interests, and animal welfare groups such as One Kind and the League Against Cruel Sports, and I am very supportive of this approach.”