Last week the Senedd’s Economic, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee released its Stage 1 Report, which included the Committee’s consideration of a ban on snares in Wales.

After careful weighing up of the arguments, the Committee recommended: “A clear majority of the Committee support the provisions of Part 5 of the Bill to prohibit use of snares, although there was support from two Members for the Minister to give further consideration to a highly-regulated licensing system.”

Commenting on the publication of the report: RSPCA head of public affairs David Bowles said: “The RSPCA has long said the Agriculture Bill is the biggest opportunity for farm animal welfare in the history of devolution.

“As such, we welcome the Committee acknowledging the potential the Bill has to improve farm welfare standards through targeted agricultural payments - and support their calls for further clarity from the Welsh Government about how farmers might be incentivised and recognised for improving welfare.

“We know Welsh Ministers want to ‘recognise and reward high animal welfare standards’ and give incentives that encourage farm animals to enjoy positive experiences; but the detail to this is going to be key.

“It’s also very welcome that a majority of the Committee support plans to ban snares in Wales, and that the whole Committee supports plans to ban the use of glue traps - and we urge Members across the Senedd to support these bans as the legislation comes forward for voting.

“Glue traps are barbaric - and our officers are too often dealing with the awful injuries they inflict to pets, wildlife and other animals. Positively, we’ve already seen the impact Senedd Members have had in campaigning for this ban - as Welsh Government action followed two Senedd Members tabling RSPCA legislative proposals to ban glue traps; so we’re delighted the whole Committee has thrown their support behind this too."

Mr Bowles added: “Snares, too, are cruel and indiscriminate in what they catch. The RSPCA is opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares or any trap that causes suffering - and we’re pleased a majority of Committee members support our calls to get rid of snares in Wales too.”