Written Question · S5W-04500 · Session 5
How many applications for species licences to use snares to capture mountain hare have been made since 2006; how many have been (a) granted…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for species licences to use snares to capture mountain hare have been made since 2006; how many have been (a) granted and (b) revoked and for what reasons licences were not granted or revoked.
The answer
The Scottish Government received one application in 2006 and a further application in 2007 for a licence to snare mountain hares for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease (Louping ill). The applications were refused on the basis that there was insufficient information about the impact on mountain hare populations.
The species licensing function, was transferred from Scottish Government to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in July 2011.
SNH received one application in 2011 for the snaring of mountain hares, in order to protect new woodland. This was granted for a two year period between 2012 and 2014. Applications were received to make minor amendments to this licence in 2012 and 2013 and in each case amended licences were granted.
In 2014, SNH received two applications seeking permission to snare and shoot mountain hares. Licences were granted in both cases but did not permit snaring (i.e. they only permitted shooting). The reason for not permitting snaring is that SNH had received information by this point to suggest that the snaring of mountain hares could not be carried out without significant welfare concerns and the exposure of operators to the risk of committing offences in relation to the use of snares.
No snaring licences were revoked during this period.
The species licensing function, was transferred from Scottish Government to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in July 2011.
SNH received one application in 2011 for the snaring of mountain hares, in order to protect new woodland. This was granted for a two year period between 2012 and 2014. Applications were received to make minor amendments to this licence in 2012 and 2013 and in each case amended licences were granted.
In 2014, SNH received two applications seeking permission to snare and shoot mountain hares. Licences were granted in both cases but did not permit snaring (i.e. they only permitted shooting). The reason for not permitting snaring is that SNH had received information by this point to suggest that the snaring of mountain hares could not be carried out without significant welfare concerns and the exposure of operators to the risk of committing offences in relation to the use of snares.
No snaring licences were revoked during this period.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-04500 by reference.