Plans to ban fur farming and leg traps under tougher rules to improve Guernsey animal welfare

Improvements to Guernsey's animal welfare law have been proposed.

The legislation would give greater enforcement powers to investigators and also bring the island in line with the UK Animal Welfare Act 2024.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez says the changes would protect Guernsey's domestic animals, resident wildlife and migratory species.

The proposition has been prompted by reports that British livestock transported across the EU suffer from thirst, exhaustion and rough handling.

The law would restrict exporting livestock for the 'slaughter or fattening for slaughter' beyond the British Isles.

Other changes include:

• Banning the use of wild animals in circuses.

• Banning farming animal fur as a primary product.

• Banning the production of foie gras by force-feeding.

• Banning the use of glue traps, excluding approved pest controllers.

The proposals would also bring Guernsey legislation in line with England, Scotland and Wales by prohibiting or restricting the use of 'indiscriminate traps'.

'Indiscriminate' devices entrap or kill animals but can also affect species that are not the intended target.

States Veterinary Officer David Chamberlain explains: "Snares, leg-hold/gin traps and glue traps are cruel by design and can cause enormous animal suffering.

"We have found evidence that snares are still being set in Guernsey, including when a cat returned home with what appeared to be a homemade snare around his neck last month."

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