The Spring Traps Approval (Scotland) Amendment Order 2018 has been laid before the Scottish Parliament. The Order is due to come into force on 3 January 2019.
Trappers will still be able to use the following spring traps for stoats until 31 March 2020:
· BMI Magnum 110;
· BMI Magnum 116;
· Fenn Vermin Trap Mark IV (Heavy Duty);
· Fenn Vermin Trap Mark VI (Dual Purpose);
· Kania Trap 2000;
· Kania Trap 2500;
· Solway Spring Trap Mk 4;
· Solway Spring Trap Mk 6;
· Springer No 4 Multi-purpose (Heavy Duty);
· Springer No 6 Multi-purpose; and
· WCS Tube Trap International.
However, as of 3 January 2019 the following spring traps will be removed from the STAO:
· Fenn Vermin Trap Mk I
· Fenn Vermin Trap Mark II
· Fenn Vermin Trap Mark III
· Imbra
· Juby
· Lloyd
· Sawyer.
Here are some useful guidance notes about using new traps and the regulations surrounding their use, taken from the amended Order.
Tully Trap manufactured by or under the authority of KM Pressings Ltd, 37B Copenhagen Road, Sutton Fields Industrial Estate, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU7 0XQ, UK.
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The trap is to be used only for the purpose of killing or taking stoats, weasels and rats.
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The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of target species..
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Goodnature A24 rat and stoat trap manufactured by or under the authority of Goodnature Limited, 4-12 Cruikshank Street, Kilbirnie 6022, Wellington, New Zealand.
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The trap is to be used only for the purpose of killing stoats, rats, weasels and mice.
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The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel or enclosure which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of target species; or set at a minimum height of 30cm off the ground and entered by an artificial tunnel attached to the trap and that protrudes for a distance of no less than 70mm from the trap entrance, and which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of target species.
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In entry 4 (Doc 150), for the conditions in Column (2), substitute—
Where used in a closed-end tunnel configuration, the trap may be used only for the purposes of killing or taking grey squirrels, rats, stoats and weasels. Where used in a run-through configuration. The trap may be used only for the purpose of killing or taking rats, stoats and weasels, the trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of target species. The tunnel may be closed-end or a run-through configuration. The tunnel must include an internal baffle arrangement that conforms to the type described in the Department of Conservation’s design specifications as set out in their trap use instructions published on the website of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture on 3 January 2019. The trap must be positioned in relation to the baffle or baffles and to the side of the tunnel so that it conforms with those specifications..
In entry 5 (Doc 200 and Doc 250), for the conditions in Column (2), substitute—
Where used in a closed-end tunnel configuration, the trap may only be used for the purpose of killing or taking grey squirrels, mink, rats, stoats and weasels. Where used in a run-through configuration, the trap may be used only for the purpose of killing or taking rats, stoats and weasels. The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of target species. The tunnel may be closed-end or a run-through configuration. The tunnel must include an internal baffle arrangement that conforms to the type described in the Department of Conservation’s design specifications as set out in their trap use instructions published on the website of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture on 3 January 2019. The trap must be positioned in relation to the baffle or baffles and to the side of the tunnel so that it conforms with those specifications.
