A COMMON household pest trap is set to be BANNED in the England.
Glue traps, that residents might usually set up around their homes to catch mice and rats, will be banned from public use.
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Typically, you’d be able to buy the devices in DIY and corner shops, as well as online, for as little as 99p.
The way the traps usually work is by immobilising the small mammals in strong adhesive.
But while many consider the traps a more humane way of stopping pests having the run of the house, they can cause just as much damage as pests make desperate efforts to escape out of them.
Charities and animal rights advocates have welcomed the new initiative.
But the Bill to ban the traps hasn’t yet been officially put in motion – it’s waiting for Royal Assent before it can be enforced nationwide.
The legislation is due to go through in a few days time, but it could take another two years for it to become an offical law after that.
Only then it will be made an offence in England for a member of the public to set a glue trap.
The only exception is for pest control operatives, who’ll need to apply to the Secretary of State for a licence to use a glue trap.
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They could be granted one where there is “no other satisfactory solution” and where the action is required for “the purpose of preserving public health or safety”.
But the average person, or anyone carrying on without procuring a proper licence after the law’s been made, could face a fine and/or up to 51 weeks in prison.
Discovering a glue trap but failing, without reasonable excuse, to ensure it is disabled will also be considered an offence and could face the same penalties.
Conservative MP Jane Stevenson, who sponsored the Bill, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that my Glue Traps Bill has passed its Third Reading, meaning it will soon receive Royal Assent and become law.
“The banning of the use of glue traps by the general public is another step forward in the strengthening of animal welfare legislation in England.”
Meanwhile, Claire Bass, executive director of Humane Society International/UK, said: “It is absolutely right that their public use will be banned, and we hope this will precipitate their removal from sale by retailers since it will be illegal for their customers to use them.”
The ban on use doesn’t mean that sales of the traps will be stopped though, at least not without the same ban coming into force in all countries of the United Kingdom as well, first.
In Scotland, the government made a commitment in January this year to ban glue traps following a review by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.
And the Welsh government has also been seeking stakeholder views on a possible ban.
Recent legislation meant Brits banned from buying halogen bulbs.
Meanwhile, Brits are seeking out vegan alternatives for milk, skincare and even wine, study finds as more make active moves toward animal rights.
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