A number of constituents have contacted me about the issue of animal snares and other wire traps.

I appreciate the strength of your feeling on this issue and would like to clarify the current legal situation.

Self-locking snares have been banned since 1981, but the use of free-running snares is permitted. Animals are, however, protected from unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and this includes any caught in snares.

In 2008 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs commissioned research to determine how widespread this equipment was in England and Wales as well as seeking to establish how humane snare use is.

This was published in March 2012. After considering its findings Lord de Mauley, who was at the time the Minister responsible for policy on wildlife management, held constructive meetings with people who use snares and those opposed to them. He made it clear then that both sides must work together to help end irresponsible snare use.

It is encouraging that Ministers are still working with these groups to agree a means of monitoring compliance, and to consider improvements to the Code of Practice on the use of snares.  I hope all parties will contribute to this work so that there is a marked improvement in the use of snares and subsequently greater protection of the wildlife we all value so much.

I hope you will find this information helpful.