Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Spring traps

11.—(1) After Article 12 of the Wildlife Order insert—

“Spring traps

12A.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, any person who—

(a) for the purpose of killing or taking any wild animal other than one included in Schedule 6, uses or permits the use of any spring trap other than an approved trap or uses or permits the use of an approved trap in circumstances or for wild animals for which it is not approved, or

(b) sells, or exposes or offers for sale, any spring trap other than an approved trap with a view to its being used for a purpose which is unlawful under sub-paragraph (a), or

(c) has in his possession any spring trap for a purpose which is unlawful under this paragraph,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to traps of any description specified by order of the Department as being adapted solely for the destruction of rats, mice or other small ground vermin.

(3) In paragraph (1) any reference to an approved trap is a reference to a trap of a type and make for the time being specified by an order of the Department, either generally or subject to conditions as to the circumstances in which or the wild animals for which it may be used, and any reference to the circumstances or wild animals for which a trap is approved shall be construed accordingly.”.

(2) In Article 18 of the Wildlife Order (power to grant licences) after paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) Article 12A(1)(a) does not apply to anything done for the purpose of enabling a spring trap to be developed or tested with a view to its being approved under Article 12A(3) if it is done under and in accordance with a licence granted by the Department.”.