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Glue traps ban completes House of Commons journey
The Bill has now moved on to the House of Lords, where it will be taken forward by RSCPA vice president and former chair Baroness Fookes.

The RSPCA welcomes the news. 

The Glue Traps (Offences) Bill has completed its passage through the House of Commons, bringing a ban on the use of glue traps in England a step closer.

Glue traps, consisting of a sheet of plastic, cardboard or wood coated with non-drying adhesive to catch rodents, have long been campaigned against by animal welfare charity the RSPCA owing to the severe suffering they cause. 

Between 2016 and 2021, the RSCPA received 263 incident reports about the use of glue traps, with non-target species frequently becoming sometimes fatally harmed by the traps.

Sponsored by Jane Stevenson, Wolverhampton North East MP, the Private Members' Bill now has the backing of the UK Government, and would make using a glue trap to catch a rodent illegal in England, unless under license. 

Evie Button, from the RSPCA's wildlife department, commented: "Glue traps are horrible devices, which have no place in modern England. Our officers have repeatedly been left shocked and horrified by the awful injuries inflicted to wildlife, pets and other animals.

"It's fantastic therefore that a ban on deadly glue traps is a step nearer, as this Bill completed its House of Commons journey - and we'd like to thank Jane Stevenson MP for all her efforts in making this happen.

"We now look forward to working with Baroness Fookes and other Members of the House of Lords; as we edge closer to ridding England of glue traps; which are indiscriminate and risk causing animals severe suffering.

"Unfortunately, glue traps are widely available and a cheap method of rodent control - but there are other, more humane methods available too such as humane deterrence.

"We hope any ban on glue traps extends to their sale, as well as their use - and urge British nations to work together to overcome any barriers in law to stopping their sale; and work to get these devices out of shopping baskets and into the history books."

 

Images (C) RSPCA

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."