Today – Monday 22 December 2025, the government announced through its animal welfare strategy that snares will be banned in England. This is a huge victory for everyone who campaigned to have these barbaric devices outlawed.Â
The Minister has kept the government’s promise to ensure snares are now banned across Britain—alongside additional animal welfare measures that were central to the Government’s Manifesto.
Our strategy will raise welfare standards for animals in the home, on the farm, and in the wild. We’re planning to ban caged hens, cruel snares, trail hunting, and curb low-welfare dog breeding.
Emma Reynolds, Environment Secretary
In 2023, Wales was the first country to ban snares, closely followed by Scotland in 2024. Animal Aid has led the campaign to ban snares across the UK and has worked hard to ensure that the Welsh and Scottish bans were replicated in England. In 2022, our government petition, calling for a ban on the use of snares was signed by more than 100,000 people, and led to a parliamentary debate the following January – with the huge majority of MPs, from different political parties, speaking in support of a ban!Â
An Early Day Motion, sponsored by Ruth Jones MP, calling for the government to implement its promised ban on snares, was signed by 91 MPs from across the political spectrum.Â
We have been working hard behind the scenes, meeting with government officials, providing evidence to help bolster the case for a ban in England, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of the bans in Wales and Scotland.Â
This ban represents a pivotal moment for animals. We’ve witnessed the devastating impact snares have had on foxes, hares, badgers, and countless others. Today, we think about every life spared from needless agony—and recommit ourselves to ending all forms of cruelty to animals. This victory is for them – for all of them.
Iain Green, Animal Aid
Animal Aid extends heartfelt gratitude to all who made this historic ban possible. We especially thank the Anti-Snaring Campaign, Hunt Investigation Team, dedicated politicians, public figures, and the courageous activists on the ground who worked tirelessly to turn this vision into reality. Their unwavering commitment has ensured that countless animals will now be spared from unimaginable suffering.Â
We are saddened that our friend, Karl, who was key to the anti-snaring campaign, is not with us to witness this historic victory, but we know that his family and friends will glad and proud that this day has finally come.Â
Click here for the timeline on our involvement in the anti-snaring campaign.
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