Key Facts

• Glue traps cause immense suffering to animals caught in them.
• Over 200 incidents involving various animals were reported to the RSPCA over a five-year period.
• The Bill has wide support across the Chamber, with a survey showing that over two thirds of people supported a ban on glue traps.
• Glue traps cause prolonged suffering to animals caught in them.
• The RSPCA received 236 reports of unintended animal injuries due to glue traps between 2016 and 2020.
• Clause 1 makes it an offence to set a glue trap for rodents, but Sarah Champion suggests changing 'rodents' to 'vertebrates'.
• Prospective licence holders should provide evidence of qualification and necessity before being granted licences.
• Humane Society International argues that pest controllers must be trained appropriately to prevent misuse by amateurs or incompetents.
• The UK aims to advance its world-leading animal welfare standards through future legislation.
• Ireland and New Zealand already have bans on glue traps.
• Professional pest control licences should allow the continued purchase of these traps by qualified individuals.
• The Bill aims to stop the use of glue traps for animal welfare.
• There is a challenge in being out of step with devolved Administrations.
• New technologies such as pressure pads inform when an animal has been caught.
• The Bill specifically targets glue traps used for catching rodents.
• Licences may be granted to professional pest controllers for exceptional circumstances under clauses 2 and 3.
• Clauses 4 and 5 set out enforcement powers for constables and authorised inspectors.
• Two-year delay is provided for transition to alternative rodent control methods.