Code of Practice on humane use of glue boards drafted

In a move to ensure the continued availability of glue boards for the control of rodents within the professional pest control market, a new industry-wide Code of Practice covering their use has been drafted.

This Code, produced by the relatively recently created Pest Management Industry Alliance (consisting of the British Pest Control Association, the National Pest Technicians Association, the National Pest Advisory Panel and the UK Pest Controllers Organisation) aims to illustrate the professional approach taken by the industry regarding the humane use of these items.

To read, or download, this new Code of Practice click here.

Welcoming this Code, NPTA Chairman, Peter Crowden said: “This is an excellent example of how all sections of the industry can work together for their mutual benefit, hopefully, the first of many such initiatives. Once this Code is fully in-place, it will receive the support of the various government agencies – Natural England and Defra for example. Personally, I would like to see these products available only for professional use – ideally only those operators working within the BASIS PROMPT Scheme.”

On a practical level, BPCA CEO, Oliver Madge said: “The continued use of this (last resort) control method is a very important part of our armoury and one that we need to be able to defend. It is also a first step towards promoting a professional use only product. If restrictions are put in place it must be against amateur user, to assist preventing inhumane practices and allow pest controllers to deliver and be paid for professional services.”

Background to the situation
Glue boards used for the capture of rodents have been in use for some years. Various voluntary Codes of Practice have been in operation for professional users, yet their introduction into the DIY market has raised concerns regarding their use.

On the 8 July 2009, three MPs, Alan Meale (Mansfield), Bill Etherington (Sunderland North) and Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) signed a motion in Parliament as follows:

Use of glue traps in the UK
That this House is aware that pest controllers who are members of the British Pest Control Association are currently subject to a voluntary code on the use of rodent traps, which includes the direction that distributors should not supply glue boards to persons who are not trained or competent in pest control practices; notes that a wild mammal is protected by the provisions of the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 but also that this law does not cover animals caught in inhumane glue traps which cause them much unnecessary suffering; and believes that the Government should follow the lead of many other parliaments worldwide and recognise the cruelty of such practices by introducing legislation to ban their use in the UK.

It was felt that this motion would generate further discussion with its supporters who would seek to have the sale and use of glue boards banned in the UK.

The Pest Management Industry Alliance recognises that in the hands of an-untrained person glue boards can be used inappropriately and in a manner that can become inhumane. It therefore shares the concern of Members of Parliament and animal welfare groups that glue boards are readily available for members of the public to buy either in retail premises or on the internet.

The Alliance believes that the sale and use of glue boards must always be permitted as a matter of last resort by properly trained professionals working in accordance with an industry standard code of practice and never by members of the general public.