Fur-bearing animals must be trapped using methods that are proven to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering.
Albertans, including trappers, are concerned about the way animals are trapped.
To ensure that the harvest of this resource is done in a way that is socially acceptable, trappers must follow the Code for Responsible Trapping.
The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards
The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) came into force in Canada on June 1, 1999. It
is a binding agreement between the European Union (EU), Canada and Russia.
The AIHTS
- Allows for continuing export of wild fur products to the EU.
- Commits all parties to applying to AIHTS standards to all trapping, including commercial use.
- Supports further research and testing for the ongoing improvement of trapping devices.
- Provides for other elements such as product certification, trap certification and trapper education.
- Will allow for the use of jaw-type leg/foothold restraining traps in submersion sets for semi-aquatic fur-bearers.
- Allows for the use of design-approved snares.
- Allows for the use of traditional wooden dead-fall traps.
- Prohibits the use of all jaw-type leg/foothold restraining traps (including padded traps) on land for badger, beaver, ermine, fisher, marten, muskrat and otter.
- Prohibits the use of conventional steel-jawed leghold restraining traps on land for bobcat, coyote, lynx, raccoon and wolf.
Read more about the AIHTS on the website of the Fur Institute of Canada:
For a list of Certified Traps that meet the requirements of the AIHTS for specific species:
Updated: Nov 2, 2023
