Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to prevent the use of gin traps; if she will review the penalties available for those who use or possess such traps; and if she will make a statement.

The Pests Act 1954 prohibits the use, possession or sale of gin traps for the purpose of killing or taking animals. The police are responsible for enforcing the Pests Act 1954. Decisions on the allocation of police resources and on the arrest and prosecution of those taking part in illegal activities are a matter for the police and prosecuting authorities.

The penalty on conviction of these offences is a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale; this is currently £1000. Within the maximum limits it is up to the court to decide the appropriate sentence in any case, having taken into account the facts of the case. There are currently no plans to increase these penalties.