From the 1st April 2020, only traps that have passed testing criteria set out within the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) can be used for trapping Stoats in the UK. Stoats are widely trapped on shooting estates. Defra moved Stoats to Schedule 6 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act in 2020 making it a protected species but there is still a general licence allowing Stoats to be caught using traps approved under the Spring Trap Approval Order 2018. Permitted traps (last updated by Natural England in September 2022) now include: DOC 150 body grip kill trap DOC 200 body grip kill trap DOC 250 body grip kill trap Tully Trap body grip kill trap Goodnature A24 rat and stoat captive bolt kill trap Perdix spring trap body grip kill trap Perdix mink live capture cage trap   After 1 April 2020 it became an offence to trap Stoats using. BMI Magnum 55, 110 and 116; Fenn Marks IV (heavy duty) and VI (dual purpose); Kania Trap 2000 and 2500; Solway Spring Trap Marks 4 and 6; Springer No. 4 Multi-purpose (Heavy Duty); WCS tube trap international; Plus a few ‘legacy’ models (e.g. Juby, Imbra) that are no longer manufactured.   The traps authorised for the killing of Stoats are claimed to be humane as they kill Stoats 'more quickly' - in no more than 45 seconds rather than several minutes. Ridiculously, Natural England also stated in September 2022 that "You can apply for a licence to use an uncertified trap which is suitable for the humane trapping of the target species".     In Scotland, Nature Scot Published "General licence - GL14/2023 - To use certain traps to kill stoats for the conservation of wild birds or for prevention of serious damage to livestock" which is valid across Scotland from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023. They listed which traps may be used to trap Stoats and their conditions of use: DOC 150/200/250 The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing of stoat. The tunnel may be closed-end or a run-through configuration. In either case the tunnel must include an internal baffle arrangement that conforms to the type described in the Department of Conservation’s design specifications as set out in the Predator Trap Instructions UK and published on SASA’s website (www.sasa.gov.uk)  on 10th February 2021. Tully Trap The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of stoat. Tully trap fitted with baffles for grey squirrels. The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of target species. The trap must be fitted with baffles for grey squirrels supplied by the manufacturer or constructed to the manufacturer’s specifications as set out in the ‘Tully Trap Grey Squirrel Baffle Instructions’ produced by the manufacturer and published on SASA’s website (www.sasa.gov.uk) on 10th February 2021. The trap must be positioned in relation to the baffle or baffles so that it conforms to those specifications. Goodnature A24 rat & stoat trap The trap must be (a) set in a natural or artificial tunnel or enclosure which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of stoat or (b) set at a minimum height of 30cm off the ground and entered by an artificial tunnel attached to the trap and that protrudes for a distance of no less than 70mm from the trap entrance, which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of stoat. Perdix Spring Trap The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of capturing, killing or injuring non-target species whilst not compromising the killing or taking of target species. Perdix Mink cage trap To comply with the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, when in use, the trap must be physically inspected at least once every day at intervals of no more than 24 hours to see whether any animal is caught in it. Where inspection every 24 hours is not possible because of severe weather conditions, every effort must be made to inspect the cage trap as soon as possible. Such an inspection must be sufficient to determine whether there are any live or dead stoats or other animals or birds in the trap.