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Welsh government announces glue trap ban
Pictured: a domestic cat stuck in a glue trap.

RSPCA Cymru welcomes the announcement.

The Welsh government has announced its plans to ban the use of glue traps in Wales, after two Senedd Members tabled legislative proposals from RSPCA Cymru to ban the devices.

In its policy response to the Agriculture (Wales) Bill's White Paper, the Welsh government confirmed its intention to “amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to ban the use of snares and glue traps.” 

Designed to catch mice and other rodents, glue traps consist of non-drying adhesive coated boards of plastic, cardboard or wood. Animals caught in the trap often experience significant suffering, including ripping out patches of fur, breaking bones, and even gnawing through their own limbs in an attempt to escape.

The devices can also often be left unattended for a significant amount of time, causing any animals trapped to die slowly from dehydration, starvation or exhaustion. 

Head of public affairs at the RSPCA, David Bowles, said: "These traps can cause immense pain and suffering to animals, and should have no place in modern Wales. So we're absolutely delighted that the Welsh Government has now announced plans to outlaw glue traps once and for all, as it outlines its next steps linked to the landmark Agriculture (Wales) Bill. This follows earlier announced plans to ban snares too.

"This latest announcement comes on the back of our successful #LawsForPaws campaign - which saw us launch a list of ten ready-to-go Bills, and our supporters urge Senedd Members to put these animal-friendly ideas into a Welsh parliamentary ballot for Member-proposed legislation. 



"Since 2017, we have received six reports in Wales of animals in danger from a glue trap - but we know many more incidents sadly won't be reported.

“Fortunately, we are now a big step closer towards a ban on torturous, cruel glue traps - and hope this will be one of a number of positive things the Agriculture (Wales) Bill delivers for animals, including banning snares, and incentivising farmers delivering higher standards of welfare on their farms."

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RCVS Knowledge appoints Veterinary Evidence editor-in-chief

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.

A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.

Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development." 

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News Shorts
Defra to host bluetongue webinar for vets

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will be hosting a webinar for veterinary professional on bluetongue on Thursday, 25 April 2024.

Topics covered will include the transmission cycle, pathology and pathogenesis, clinical signs (including signs seen in recent BTV-3 cases in the Netherlands), and control and prevention.

The session, which will take place from 6pm to 7.30pm, is part of Defra's 'Plan, Prevent and Protect' webinar series, which are hosted by policy officials, epidemiologists and veterinary professionals from Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The bluetongue session will also feature insights from experts from The Pirbright Institute.

Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions. Places on the webinar can be booked online.