The government has today published its response to
a six-week
consultation on introducing new and improved
international humane trapping standards.
The Agreement on
Human Trapping Standards (AIHTS) seeks to
improve the welfare of fur-bearing animals trapped for
their pelts as well as for conservation and pest
control purposes.
It sets out clearly-defined minimum trap humaneness
standards and trap testing procedures, creating an
internationally recognised benchmark for trap welfare.
The government supports this objective and shares the
British public’s high regard for animal welfare. During
the six-week public consultation, evidence was provided
by a range of contributors on the supply, use and
marking of traps. The responses were broadly supportive
of the increase in welfare standards.
The government will implement AIHTS as soon as possible
in 2019 but include a transitional provision for stoat
trapping which delays implementation for stoat by a
year. The government has listened to the concerns of
trap manufacturers and users and allowed a period of
time to change to new equipment.
This sends a clear signal to manufacturers and traps
users that they must transition to compliant traps,
whilst recognising they will need time to do so.
A Defra Spokesperson 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.
A full copy of the consultation response is available
on Gov.uk.
