Good News! England Bans Glue Traps
Update (31 July 2024): England Bans Glue Traps!
The glue trap ban in England has now come into force. As these traps are indiscriminate killers, this is a huge win for the animals who are targeted with them, like rats and mice, but also for the birds, frogs, and even cats who are regularly caught in the cruel devices.
A licensing system is in place to prevent the public from using glue traps to kill rodents, and those who break the law could face up to 51 weeks in prison, a fine, or both.
Original blog (29 April 2022): Three Bills That Protect Animals Have Just Become Law!
We’re popping corks in celebration of three crucial pieces of legislation receiving royal assent and becoming law this week!
The Animals (Penalty Notices) Act, Glue Traps (Offences) Act, and Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act will help improve the lives of animals across the UK.
Thank you to DEFRA and the ministers and other policymakers involved in making this excellent progress.
How the New Animal Welfare Acts Will Protect Animals
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act
This act recognises in law what we’ve long known: that other animals are living, feeling beings with complex thoughts and emotions, each able to experience pain, fear, love, and joy.
Now, policymakers will need to take into account the unique needs of animals (the scope of this act includes all vertebrate animals and some invertebrate animals such as octopuses and lobsters) when creating laws. It also requires that the government establish an Animal Sentience Committee to scrutinise and report on whether the government is taking into account the adverse effect of any policy “on the welfare of animals as sentient beings”.
Glue Traps (Offences) Act
Glue traps are one of the cruellest methods of rodent control. Mice, rats, and other animals who walk onto the glue instantly become stuck and are powerless to free themselves. Animals caught in these traps can die of hunger, dehydration, or exposure after days of prolonged suffering. Thanks to this law, they will be banned. The ban will come into effect in England in two years.
Animals (Penalty Notices) Act
Under this act, people who fail to care properly for their companion animals or animals in zoos or on farms could face fines of up to £5,000. The Animals (Penalty Notices) Act will help punish those who commit atrocious animal abuse.
Keep Up the Momentum
We must keep the momentum going and put pressure on the government to prioritise protecting animals. Please use our Rapid Actions page to urge ministers to take immediate steps to help animals:
