Spring Traps

Spring Traps Approval (Wales) Order 2018

Under the Pest Act 1954, spring traps are prohibited in Wales unless approved by the government via a Spring Traps Approval Order.

This regulation revokes and replaces the Spring Traps Approval (Wales) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2941 (W. 300) which approves types of spring traps for use, allowing them to be used sold and used in Wales.

This regulation adds eight types of spring traps to those approved for use in Wales. It also adds target species against which eight of the traps previously approved may be used. The purpose of killing has been removed from one of the traps which has previously been approved. The purpose of taking has been removed from 10 of the traps which have previously been approved. The purpose of restraining has been changed to taking on one of the traps which has previously been approved. This regulation also removes eight types of approved spring traps which have been out of production for some time and are seldom used to trap any permitted target species.

It also removes stoat as a permitted target species for 11 approved traps which do not meet the required humaneness standards set out in the Agreement for International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). However, we have agreed with stakeholders to delay this removal (as permitted under the Agreement) until 1 April 2020 to give the sector sufficient time to manufacture, supply and deploy new compliant traps.

The Spring Traps Approval (Wales) Order 2012 (reference Notification: 2011/0465/UK)