9.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a person shall be guilty of an offence under this section if, for the purpose of killing or taking rabbits, he uses or knowingly permits the use of a spring trap elsewhere than in an artificial tunnel not exceeding twelve inches in height or a rabbit hole.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on a summary conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds or, if he has been previously convicted of such an offence, a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not render unlawful the use of a spring trap under and in accordance with a permit given by the Minister or the use of a spring trap of a kind approved, for the purposes of this section, by regulations made by the Minister under this subsection.

(4) A permit given under the preceding subsection may be revoked by the Minister.

(5) A permit given under subsection (3) of this section may contain such conditions as the Minister considers appropriate.

(6) This section shall cease to have effect on the appointed day.