The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the Welsh government’s first Welsh Agriculture Bill which includes a commitment for a complete ban on the use of rodent glue traps and snares in Wales.
The bill will embed Sustainable Land Management (SLM) goals into Welsh agriculture and give Welsh ministers the power to provide support for these goals.
Commenting on the bill, BVA Welsh branch president Collin Wilson said:
“This is a landmark piece of legislation which represents a great opportunity to reform the way farmers in Wales receive support.
“We are particularly pleased to see specific recognition within the Sustainable Land Management goals of the need for high standards of animal health and welfare.”
Commenting on the proposed action on glue traps and snares, Wilson added:
“This is good news. The banning of cruel glue traps in Wales is long overdue.
“Along with other animal protection and research organisations, we have campaigned for a complete ban on the widespread use of rodent glue traps, which do not kill a trapped animal immediately and can lead to hours of agony and suffering.
“Disappointingly, the recent bill in England fell short of an outright ban and only put restrictions on the general public, still allowing ‘pest controllers’ to apply for licences to use the traps.
“We are keen to see the greater detail of this Welsh Bill to ensure no similar loopholes will be allowed for the pest control industry in Wales.
“We are also delighted to see similar action against the use of snares in Wales. Even when used in the most ideal way and with regular checking, snares are an inhumane method of pest control and can cause significant and needless harm to animals, including pets and protected wildlife.
“While we recognize that it may be necessary to control wildlife at times, we would always support the responsible use of the most humane control methods available.”
