Humane Trapping

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