Furious Countryfile viewers have accused the show of ‘unjustifiable’ animal cruelty.
The latest episode of the BBC One programme has been met with fierce backlash over a segment about the practice of snaring, which involves deliberately capturing an animal in a metal trap by its legs or neck.
The practice is legal in and Scotland, but last month Wales voted to ban it for being inhumane.
However, the newest Countryfile featured stories about how snaring could be used to monitor and capture foxes.
David Thomas, a fifth generation farmer, appeared on the show noting that he has been undertaking conversation work for many years.
The goal has been to increase the numbers of ground nesting birds by working on their habitats, with the process including protecting farmland and game shoots from foxes.
‘It’s the predation that is the major problem up here. The fox control is essential for game birds because they eat the eggs and actually kill some of the ground nesting birds,’ he said. ‘The snare becomes a very important tool.’
One viewer ranted: ‘VERY regrettable narrative yet again from #countryfile trying to justify #snares @BBCCountryfile to protect the shooting industry.
‘A farmer justifying snaring foxes to protect the business/sport of shooting. Snares are barbaric and indiscriminate. Just congrats to Wales needed.’
A second fan added that ‘snares will NEVER be “humane cable restraints”‘, while another urged England and Scotland to take a lead from Wales.
They added: ‘A farmer justifying snaring foxes to protect the business/sport of shooting for fun.
‘Well done Wales in leading the way in banning snares. Snares are barbaric and indiscriminate. Scotland and England must follow suit.’
A BBC spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘A segment in Sunday’s episode explored the impact of banning snares and reflected both sides of the debate surrounding the controversial practice.
‘Viewers were clearly warned in advance by the presenter that they may find some of the images distressing and the images of wounds were blurred.’
Countryfile airs Sundays at 7pm on BBC One.
