LEGISLATION

The Scottish Government has confirmed that provisions banning the use, supply and possession of rodent glue traps will come into force on 1 July 2026 under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024.

The change follows the introduction of an exclusion under the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, which now allows Scotland to proceed with the ban on sale.

From 1 July 2026, it will be an offence in Scotland to:

• Use a glue trap for the purpose of taking or killing any animal, including restraining it
• Set a glue trap in a way likely to cause injury to any animal
• Supply or offer to supply a glue trap
• Possess a glue trap
• To cause or allow someone to do any of the above.

The offences do not apply to invertebrates.

Those found guilty face significant penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines.

What this means in practice

From 1 July 2026, it will be against the law in Scotland to use a glue trap for rodents without a reasonable excuse.

BPCA supports banning glue traps for the general public. These are not tools that should ever be available for casual or untrained use.

However, we believe there must be absolute clarity about whether and how professional pest controllers can use glue boards in tightly defined, genuinely critical circumstances.

When the legislation was first introduced, the Scottish Government signalled it was open to pest professionals retaining access in specific situations critical to public health. We now need clear guidance on how that principle will work in practice.

The need for a clear professional route

There are rare but serious scenarios where a glue board may be the only practical way to mitigate an immediate public health or safety risk.

These might include:

• A rodent sighting in a high-risk food production area where immediate control is required to prevent contamination
• Activity in a hospital or healthcare setting where vulnerable patients are at risk
• Situations where other methods are unsuitable, unsafe or would not act quickly enough.

Rosina Robson, BPCA Chief Executive, said:

“Glue boards should not be in the hands of the public. We support decisive action to prevent misuse.

“But professional pest controllers sometimes face high-risk situations where speed and precision are critical. If the law allows use with a reasonable excuse, we need that route to be clearly defined and workable.

“Public health and safety in sensitive environments must be part of that conversation. Our members need certainty about what is and is not permitted.”

BPCA is engaging with the Scottish Government to seek detailed guidance on what may constitute a reasonable excuse and how any professional use would be authorised, documented and enforced.

Pushing for workable legislation across the UK

We will continue to push for glue trap legislation that is clear, proportionate and enforceable across the UK.

That includes closing loopholes in England and Wales, which allow glue traps to be legally purchased by the general public even where their use is heavily restricted or banned.

BPCA remains committed to raising standards, protecting animal welfare and safeguarding public health.

We will keep members updated as further detail emerges on how the Scottish provisions will operate in practice.

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