Committee
Environment and Rural Development Committee, 25 Feb 2004
25 Feb 2004 · S2 · Environment and Rural Development Committee
Item of business
Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Amendment 2 and the other amendments in my name are designed to effect a complete ban on snaring in Scotland. The time is right for that. The United Kingdom is one of only five European Union countries that still allow snaring. We are probably in contravention of the Bern convention, which states that snares should be used for restraint but not to kill.At stage 1, we heard evidence from gamekeepers and others that many animals—rabbits in particular—are usually dead when found in snares. We heard powerful evidence from animal welfare bodies about other animals that are found dead in snares. Snares are indiscriminate. They have a significant bycatch, which includes species such as otters and badgers as well as domestic pets. We know that snaring is not the most effective method of vermin control. Research by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation shows that 70 per cent of pest control is done by shooting, with snaring accounting for only a small percentage. Alternatives to snaring exist. As well as shooting, there are humane traps.Other amendments in the group fall short of banning snaring, but would strengthen the regulations that govern it. For example, they would lead to stops being fitted that would stop snares tightening and thus reduce the chance of killing animals. They would also lead to stricter rules on when people could use snares, and they would require the identification of snares. I will support those amendments if the amendments in my name to abolish snaring in Scotland are not agreed to. However, I feel that it is time to take a stand and to ban snaring in Scotland. Evidence from animal welfare organisations has shown clearly that snaring is cruel and unnecessary. Animals are paying with their suffering for our not having enough people on the ground to carry out proper vermin control.I move amendment 2.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
This is our fourth stage 2 discussion of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill. I invite members to declare relevant interests.
Alex Johnstone:
Con
I remind members of my entry in the register of members' interests, which says that I am a landowner and a member of the Scottish Landowners Federation.
Rob Gibson:
SNP
I am a member of the Scottish Crofting Foundation.
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (Con):
Con
I duplicate Alex Johnstone's interest.
Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab):
Lab
Like Mr Gibson, I am a member of the Scottish Crofting Foundation.
The Convener:
Lab
I remind members that they should have their papers with them. We have spare sets of everything if they are required. I shall call amendments in strict order...
Section 51—Protection of wildlife
The Convener:
Lab
Amendment 238, in the name of Sylvia Jackson, is grouped with amendment 244. Is Karen Gillon speaking to the amendment?
Maureen Macmillan:
Lab
No, I am.Amendments 238 and 244 are intended to bring the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 into line with the provisions of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) ...
Alex Johnstone:
Con
The amendments are complex and they would amend another act, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. We have had only limited time to study the amendments, and I...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I will deal with those points. Sylvia Jackson's detailed amendments, one of which was ably moved by Maureen Macmillan, are designed to bring key provisions i...
The Convener:
Lab
That is helpful.
Maureen Macmillan:
Lab
I am happy to hear what the minister says. The amendments are important; I concur thoroughly with the minister's remarks on badger baiting and I think that t...
Amendment 238 agreed to.
Section 51, as amended, agreed to.
Schedule 6Protection of wildlife
The Convener:
Lab
Amendment 8, in the name of Nora Radcliffe, is grouped with amendments 193, 209, 12 and 9.
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
Amendment 8 seeks to extend the protection of nests and nest sites for certain species of birds to cover the whole year. Because the bill refers to the Wildl...
Maureen Macmillan:
Lab
The committee was concerned about all-year-round nesting sites and roosting sites. We are talking about roosting sites for schedule 1 birds, which roost comm...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
Amendments 8 and 193 have merit, but I ask the committee to resist them both for reasons that I will outline.Nora Radcliffe's amendments, which deal with the...
The Convener:
Lab
Do other members wish to participate in the debate? I will bring Nora Radcliffe in at the end.
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
May I ask a question of the minister when I wind up?
The Convener:
Lab
If it is on a point of clarification, you should ask the question now.
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
Is the main sticking point for the amendments the extent of the list of birds in the proposed schedule? By and large, is the minister happy with the rest of ...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
Yes, that is true. Obviously, we hope to consult more widely on the suggestion during the interim period, between now and then, so that we get it right. Howe...
The Convener:
Lab
Is the minister referring to between now and stage 3 of the bill?
Allan Wilson:
Lab
Yes.
Maureen Macmillan:
Lab
Is the minister prepared to meet me to talk a bit more about amendment 193? I take on board what he said about the amendment being too broad, but will he ent...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
As I said, if people provide us with evidence that there is either a specific or general problem, we will certainly look at that. Whether we can do that in a...
Maureen Macmillan:
Lab
I appreciate that there are wider concerns about the definition and I will endeavour to provide more scientific evidence.