The British Pest Control Association has said it could support bringing mole traps into the Spring Trap Approval Orders in England and Wales, provided professional mole control can continue without disruption, and UK manufacturers are engaged.
The response follows the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published over Christmas, which included a commitment to review mole traps.
Mole trap design is currently unregulated in England and Wales under the Small Ground Vermin Traps Order 1958. Unlike many other spring traps, mole traps do not currently go through an approvals process.
BPCA surveyed the sector in March to inform its response to the review. Feedback from pest professionals highlighted concerns about cheap, poor-quality traps being widely available online and in garden centres.
BPCA said it could support the change, as it would mean that mole traps would require approval before being sold or used, helping to remove unsuitable products from the market while allowing trained professionals to continue using effective, humane tools.
The association said any reform must meet two conditions for it to support any change:
First, several mole traps must already be approved before any new rules come into force, so there is no period where professionals have no legal trapping options.
Second, British and European manufacturers of quality professional traps must be properly engaged and supported through the approvals process, avoiding unnecessary costs being passed on to pest professionals.
BPCA’s survey also found there are few realistic alternatives to trapping. Less than 1% of respondents said vibrating or sonic deterrents were somewhat or very effective; 70% of those carrying out mole treatments do not use aluminium phosphide, and fewer than 1% said they would start using it if traps were banned.
BPCA said the aim should be to protect animal welfare by removing poor-quality traps from circulation, not to make professional mole control harder.
The association added that mole control protects a wide range of sites, including gardens, sports turf, landing strips, heritage sites, zoos, fisheries and flood defences.
