Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th September 2022
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vets welcome Welsh ban on glue traps and snares
“We will continue to engage with the Welsh government to develop what the scheme looks like in practice" - Collin Wilson, BVA Welsh Branch.
“This is a landmark piece of legislation" - Collin Wilson, BVA Welsh Branch.

Wales is to become the first country in the UK to introduce a complete ban on snares and glue traps.

On Monday (Sep 26), rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths unveiled a new Agriculture Bill giving Welsh Ministers the power to promote Sustainable Land Management (SLM) principles and integrate them into Welsh agriculture. How this support is delivered will be defined by the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

The move has been welcomed by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) which, along with other animal protection and research organisations, has long campaigned for a complete ban on 'inhumane' pest control devices.

The organisation has also played a key role in the development of the new SFS, and BVA representatives are involved in the working group looking at the next stage.

BVA Welsh branch president Collin Wilson said: “This is a landmark piece of legislation which represents a great opportunity to reform the way farmers in Wales receive support. We are particularly pleased to see specific recognition within the Sustainable Land Management goals of the need for high standards of animal health and welfare.

“We are looking forward to seeing more detail on how the conditions within the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme will support animal health and welfare as a Sustainable Land Management goal. As farmers’ most trusted advisors, vets have a vital role to play in delivering the scheme. 

He added: “We will continue to engage with the Welsh government to develop what the scheme looks like in practice, and we look forward to responding to the consultation on the final proposals in 2023.”

BVA recently expressed disappointment that the recent Glue Trap Bill in England fell short of an outright ban and only put restrictions on the general public, still allowing ‘pest controllers’ to apply for licences to use the traps.

Mr Wilson said: “We are keen to see the greater detail of this Welsh Bill to ensure no similar loopholes will be allowed for the pest control industry in Wales."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.