I am opposed to the use of…

I am opposed to the use of snares to trap wildlife period, preferring instead, that farmers be encouraged to use non-lethal, predator friendly farming methods.

After reading what the Government of Ontario is proposing for cable restraints used in trapping of wildlife, there seems to be an overriding point missing - snares ARE NOT certified traps under the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards and therefore, instead of the government trying to find ways to make the snares "more palatable" to humans for their use, they should be instead upholding these international standards and prohibited snare use in the Province of Ontario. Research has shown that the killing and snaring of wildlife results in negative animal welfare outcomes for both target and non-target animals.

Before the Government proposes any changes, they should be transparent and publish the research findings it references on the ERO page so that the public can make informed comments on this consultation. In reading this report, it appears that the province is only relying on guidelines created by the commercial fur industry to influence the laws around the trapping of wildlife, instead of seeking a balance approach informed by current, peer-reviewed science. The need must be to create laws around trapping that prioritize animal welfare, but the business of hunting.

Relaxing cable restraints are not certified traps under the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, which Canada is a party to. Therefore, Ontario must adhere to this agreement, and not look for laws allowing relaxing cable restraints, but instead step-up and ban snares entirely!