The Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 was passed by the Senedd in Cardiff on June 27, 2023 and was given Royal Assent on Thursday, August 17.
Part of the Act covers banning the use of rodent glue boards in Wales.
Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “A complete ban on the inhumane use of glue traps and snares is included in the Bill and means we will become the first nation in the UK to introduce such a ban.”
BPCA understands that the Welsh Government intends to have a two-month transition period which means the ban on the use of glue boards in Wales will become effective on October 17 – this date has yet to be confirmed, and BPCA is seeking clarification.
The penalty for this offence will align with most of the Part 1 offences within the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, namely, on summary conviction imprisonment for a term not longer than six months or an unlimited fine.
BPCA chief executive, Ian Andrew, said: “It is essential that all pest professionals working in Wales are aware of the impending ban and their customers are also informed, as how rodent infestations are managed will need to change.
“We have no doubt that this piece of legislation will adversely affect Welsh businesses and the public health of the people of Wales – we’ve done everything within our power to influence this legislation. However, much of our work has fallen on deaf ears.”
Mr Andrew said that BPCA hopes to get an amendment that promised a licensing scheme for professional pest management work, just as it achieved in England.
“Despite providing compelling evidence and answering questions in a select committee meeting, our work was disregarded in the committee stage report,” Mr Andrew said.
“Much of the report’s findings were based on inaccurate information, which again, we challenged – the Welsh government have been entirely disinterested in protecting public health, even in the most high-risk situations.
“Rodent welfare has priority over human health in Wales – at least according to the government.”