5. Will the Minister provide an update on the use of snares and glue traps in Wales? OQ57207

Thank you. The programme for government includes a commitment to ban the use of snares in Wales. My intention is it should be contained, along with provisions relating to the use of glue traps, in the agriculture Bill that the Government will bring before the Senedd in our first-year legislative programme.

I'm really pleased to hear that you have an ongoing commitment, because it wasn't mentioned in the original programme for government. So, that's really, really good news. When we're talking about the use of snares and glue traps, we're talking about cruel devices that actually kill indiscriminately. They trap birds and animals, they allow them to stay there suffering cruelly, having a very slow, painful death. Seventy-three per cent of incidents that are seen by the RSPCA concerning glue traps involve the non-target species, like pets and wild animals. I think that the sooner we can end these really cruel practices—and some of those snare traps are commonly seen around areas where there are pheasant shoots and game bird shoots—. So, I am relieved to hear that you intend to introduce the ban, but what I would like to hear is an outline of that timetable. 

Thank you. So, it is in the programme for government. That did include that commitment to ban the use of snares in Wales. As I say, I will be looking to bring it forward in the agriculture Bill, which is in our first-year legislative programme. I am loath to give a month; I tend to use seasons when I say that something is coming forward, but I certainly hope to bring it forward in early summer next year.