LONDON (15 Feb. 2016) - Southampton-based MX Wholesale, the UK's No.1 cash and carry wholesaler, has been praised by animal welfare campaigners Humane Society International/UK for withdrawing from sale rodent glue traps. The wholesaler took the compassionate stance after being contacted by the charity about the prolonged suffering rats and mice can endure once caught, including suffocating as the super-strong adhesive clogs their mouth or nose.Although glue traps are outlawed on animal welfare grounds in New Zealand and Ireland, they remain legal to sell to the general public here in the UK. HSI/UK's Unstuck campaign aims to see the devices banned in the UK too, backed by the British Pest Control Association and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. However, whilst the charity seeks political action, it is also enlightening retailers about the
Although glue traps are outlawed on animal welfare grounds in New Zealand and Ireland, they remain legal to sell to the general public here in the UK. HSI/UK's Unstuck campaign aims to see the devices banned in the UK too, backed by the British Pest Control Association and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. However, whilst the charity seeks political action, it is also enlightening retailers about the cruelty and urging them to withdraw these products voluntarily from public sale.
MX Wholesale has been one of the first to agree to stop selling glue traps, even donating its remaining glue trap stock to HSI/UK for destruction.
Navid Rezaei, Managing Director of MX Wholesale, said: "MXWholesale thanks Humane Society International for bringing this matter to our attention. When we looked at the evidence sent to us showing that glue trapped animals could be subjected to extreme and extended suffering, and people who use glue traps are at risk of committing an offence under the Animal Welfare Act, we instantly made the decision to clear our shelves and deliver all remaining stock free of charge to HSI, and we've pledged not to reorder them. I have been very fond of animals and their rights for a long time, and it is unacceptable for any animal to be treated so cruelly."Under the law, people who use a glue trap have a legal obligation to prevent ‘unnecessary suffering' and to kill any live animal they catch ‘quickly and humanely'. A recent YouGov opinion poll commissioned by HSI/UK found that many people are unknowingly at risk of committing an offence under the Animal Welfare Act (2006) by leaving live rodents to die on the trap, drowning them, or throwing them alive in the rubbish bin.
Under the law, people who use a glue trap have a legal obligation to prevent ‘unnecessary suffering' and to kill any live animal they catch ‘quickly and humanely'. A recent YouGov opinion poll commissioned by HSI/UK found that many people are unknowingly at risk of committing an offence under the Animal Welfare Act (2006) by leaving live rodents to die on the trap, drowning them, or throwing them alive in the rubbish bin. The YouGov poll also found that almost 70 per cent of the British public agree that glue traps should be banned in the UK. Increasing consumer awareness about glue trap cruelty is a key aspect of HSI/UK's Unstuck campaign, alongside education about humane strategies for keeping homes rodent-free.
The YouGov poll also found that almost 70 per cent of the British public agree that glue traps should be banned in the UK. Increasing consumer awareness about glue trap cruelty is a key aspect of HSI/UK's Unstuck campaign, alongside education about humane strategies for keeping homes rodent-free. Claire Bass, executive director for Humane Society International/UK, said:
Claire Bass, executive director for Humane Society International/UK, said: "MX Wholesale has set a compassionate example that we hope others will follow, and we congratulate them for taking such swift and decisive action to remove glue traps from sale. Glue traps are hideous devices that can and do inflict severe animal suffering. There are non-lethal, humane ways to keep rodents out of the house without resorting to cruel traps or poisons, and our Unstuck campaign is raising much-needed awareness. We're off to a really encouraging start but we need more retailers to do the right thing and take these barbaric products off shop shelves."
"MX Wholesale has set a compassionate example that we hope others will follow, and we congratulate them for taking such swift and decisive action to remove glue traps from sale. Glue traps are hideous devices that can and do inflict severe animal suffering. There are non-lethal, humane ways to keep rodents out of the house without resorting to cruel traps or poisons, and our Unstuck campaign is raising much-needed awareness. We're off to a really encouraging start but we need more retailers to do the right thing and take these barbaric products off shop shelves."
Take action to support the #Unstuck campaign here.
Source: BPCA.org.uk