NGO Asks Members To Respond to Trapping Consultation

More News

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) will be responding to the Defra consultation on proposals to implement the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards that was launched today (19 March 2018). The NGO, in addition to submitting its own formal response to the consultation, is also calling on its members to respond individually to Defra during the six-week-long consultation window, which closes at the end of April.

Defra is also seeking evidence on the supply, use and marking of traps to better inform its impact assessment as part of the consultation.

The Defra consultation (the full title of which is the “Implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards - Proposals for implementation and evidence for impact assessment”) will end on 30 April.

Full details of the Defra consultation and how to make a response can be found here

Defra has said it is seeking views from gamekeepers, trap retailers, manufacturers and importers, pest control companies, country estates and farms, as well as importers of products derived from trapped animals.

A spokesman for the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation said: “NGO members will be aware that the NGO has been involved in a variety of ways right from the start of the process to help Government find a way forward. The NGO has contributed both its technical expertise as well as hard cash in helping to test a new generation of stoat traps. The good news is that this work shows promise.

“The NGO, however, has reservations about aspects of the proposals being consulted on by Defra. In particular we believe the timescale for the replacement of all stoat traps by 1 January 2019 is unachievable. We will be explaining to Defra exactly why this is in our response to the consultation.

“The NGO will, of course, be responding in detail to the consultation, but we would also like those of our members who use stoat traps to make their own responses to the consultation. Trapping is an essential tool in wildlife management and our members will, by responding as individuals, help ensure Defra is fully aware of the important role trapping plays in a wide spectrum of conservation in today’s countryside.”

Notes to Editors

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales, defending and promoting gamekeeping, gamekeepers and ensuring high standards throughout the profession. The NGO was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that their profession was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, there are around 13,000 members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation. www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk