LOBBYING

An amendment in Stage 3 of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill has passed, which leaves room for empowering pest professionals to continue employing glue traps in their crucial work across Scotland.  

This significant development, championed by the Scottish Ministers, ensures the ongoing effectiveness of pest control measures while prioritising public health and safety. 

The amendment allows Scottish Ministers to regulate the responsible use of glue traps, ensuring they are used only when necessary to safeguard public health and as a last resort for professionals when other methods of rodent control are not feasible. 

BPCA’s lobbying efforts

In response to concerns raised during the Bill process, Minister of Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, emphasised the potential threat of increased rodenticide resistance in rodent populations. 

Fairlie stated: 

"During the Bill process I have heard from the British Pest Control Association, which raised concerns that increased rodenticide resistance in rodent populations is a real possibility, which could lead in the future to a situation in which professional controllers have very limited options to deal with infestations in high-risk areas." 

Furthermore, the Future of Pest Management Survey, conducted by BPCA late last year, was discussed in Stage 3.  

Rachael Hamilton highlighted the survey findings, commenting:  

"In a recent survey conducted by the British Pest Control Association, 65% of the 816 respondents stated that a ban on glue traps would impact their ability to control rodent infestations. 

“Respondents reported that glue traps had the lowest rate of behavioural resistance, making them a more reliable option as a last resort." 

Hamilton discussed a Freedom of Information Request (FOI) made by BPCA in February. 

She stated:  

"You might be interested to know that the response to a Freedom of Information request showed that 200 glue traps have been used in the Scottish Parliament since the Bill was introduced last March, spanning two pest management treatments.  

“Without those treatments, Parliament buildings could have been closed due to infestations. We have very important matters to discuss in Parliament and it should be ensured that business can carry on." 

This amendment reflects a balanced approach that prioritises public health while addressing animal welfare concerns. 

BPCA responds

BPCA Chief Exec, Ian Andrew, gave evidence to the committee regarding glue traps and representing the pest management sector. 

He said: 

“We’ve been working hard to make sure politicians in Scotland are well briefed on the potential consequences an all-out ban on glue traps would have. 

“We’re thrilled that the Minister has heard our concerns and tabled these amendments. It’s a great victory that a relatively small sector can influence politics to help protect public health. 

"Thank you to all the BPCA members who have supported this campaign, and the 816 people in the sector that completed our Future of Pest Management survey. Without your support, we’d be looking at a complete ban.

The next steps are for the Bill to receive royal assent and to develop a scheme to provide pest professionals access to glue traps in last resort circumstances. 

Ian continued, “As always, the devil is in the detail. BPCA will now be working hard to influence the scheme to make sure it’s workable for pest professionals. 

“The scheme needs to ensure that approval to use glue traps must be either rapidly issued or applied for retroactively, as by the nature of glue traps treatments they’re an emergency tool.”

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BPCA is a UK lobbying organisation on the UK Lobbying Register (UKLR). We work to ensure good policy is made for the benefit of the industry and our members. 

If you have a question about our political work, contact policy@bpca.org.uk and have your say.