If passed, HB7018 would amend existing regulations under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to include a prohibition on the sale and distribution of glue traps. This change would significantly modify how pest control is conducted nationwide, urging consumers and businesses to adopt more humane methods for rodent control. The bill aligns with a growing trend internationally, where many regions have begun to outlaw such traps due to ethical and health concerns.
Summary
House Bill 7018, titled the 'Glue Trap Prohibition Act of 2024', seeks to prohibit the sale and use of glue traps for trapping rodents across the United States. The bill highlights the inhumane nature of glue traps, which ensnare animals through a sticky adhesive that leads to slow and painful deaths by starvation or suffocation. It points out that glue traps also pose risks to non-target wildlife and household pets, further emphasizing their cruel implications on animal welfare and public health.
Contention
The discussion around HB7018 may evoke varying responses from stakeholders within agricultural and pest control industries, as well as animal rights advocates. Proponents of the bill argue that glue traps are inhumane and should be replaced with more humane alternatives that could offer effective rodent control without unnecessary suffering. Conversely, critics might express concerns regarding the practicality and economic impact of banning glue traps, citing that alternatives may not be as effective or could increase operational costs for pest control services.