Fur-bearing animals must be trapped using humane methods that are proven to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering. The Code
for Responsible Trapping outlines publicly acceptable harvesting practices:
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:
Updated: Mar 30, 2017