Proposals that would allow a ban on the sale of rodent glue traps across the UK will be debated in Parliament this week.
BPCA said this marks a significant milestone in its long-running campaign on animal welfare and professional standards.
The Draft United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Exclusions from Market Access Principles: Glue Traps) Regulations 2025 are due to be considered by the Third Delegated Legislation Committee today (Wednesday, January 7).
If approved, the regulations would enable all UK nations to prohibit the sale of glue traps without being overridden by internal market rules. This would pave the way for existing and planned national bans, including Scotland’s, to come fully into force.
BPCA has consistently warned about the welfare risks posed by glue traps when used by untrained members of the public, with evidence showing non-target species such as birds, pets and bats are frequently caught.
BPCA chief executive Rosina Robson, said unregulated access remains a serious concern.
“In untrained hands, these traps are indiscriminate and can cause severe suffering,” Ms Robson said. “We’ve been campaigning for years to stop the general public accessing glue traps, and this draft legislation shows those concerns are being taken seriously.”
While welcoming the progress, BPCA has cautioned that enforcement will be critical. The association has already raised concerns about some online retailers attempting to rebrand rodent glue traps as ‘insect glue traps’, as well as the continued risk of people making improvised traps at home.
BPCA has worked closely with Defra and policymakers throughout the process to ensure the real-world impacts of misuse were understood.
However, the association said challenges remain around professional access, particularly in England, where licensing processes are still seen as slow and impractical for urgent public health situations.
The committee debate today (January 7) will determine whether the draft regulations move forward. If approved by both Houses of Parliament, the measures would come into force 21 days after being made.
BPCA said it will continue to monitor developments closely and push for regulation that protects animal welfare while allowing professional pest controllers to respond effectively to public health risks.
