The Scottish Government has announced its intention to allow snaring to continue. The decision contradicts overwhelming public support for a ban on these cruel and indiscriminate traps, and follows an official public consultation which revealed a majority of more than two to one in favour of a ban.

Instead of a ban, the minister has proposed to attempt to regulate the practice through a package of technical measures. However, we do not believe such measures will stop the wide-scale suffering or prevent the capture of non-target animals, including protected species.

The current regime already involves technical distinctions and voluntary codes of practice, but fails to prevent animal suffering. In our view, a ban on all snares will ultimately be the only way to address animal welfare and conservation concerns. In addition, cruelty - in whatever form it takes - whether inflicted on humans or animals, can never be regulated, only abolished.

Snares have no place in 21st-century Scotland. The campaign to ban snaring in Scotland will continue until these primitive traps are finally prohibited.

Ross Minett, Advocates for Animals; Louise Robertson, League Against Cruel Sports; Rodney Hale, Hare Preservation Trust; Andy Christie, Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust; Grace Yoxon, International Otter Survival Fund; Ian Hutchison, Scottish Badgers; Les Ward, Marchig Animal Welfare Trust.