Airdrie and Shotts MSP Neil Gray has welcomed the introduction of legislation to end the harmful practice of setting ‘glue traps’ to protect animal welfare.
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) undertook a review of the use of glue traps and concluded that there are significant animal welfare issues related to their use, not only for rodents but also for non-target species such as wild birds.
Accordingly, the Scottish Government intends to implement a full ban and will seek stakeholders’ views through a consultation before bringing forward legislation during this parliamentary term.
Mr Gray said: “I welcome the move to end the use of ‘glue traps’ in pest control.
"Not only do glue traps cause the trapped animal unnecessary harm and stress, they also attract species that are not their intended target.
“As a nation of animal lovers, we should be looking at more humane ways to eliminate rodent problems rather than using barbaric old-fashioned measures.”
Claire Bass, executive director of Humane Society UK, said the charity was "delighted" at the "robust approach" to the issue.
She told us: "The public strongly supports this ban on glue traps, which cause intense suffering to untold numbers of rodents, wild animals and even pets every year.
"We are calling for consistent legislation to enforce the strongest possible bans across the UK.
"We urge Westminster to follow the Scottish lead and abandon the loopholes currently contained in the draft Glue Traps (Offences) Bill, as they could allow glue traps to remain in wide circulation and risk England falling behind on animal welfare protection standards.”
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