1. This Order—
(a)may be cited as the Spring Traps Approval (England) Order 2012;
(b)comes into force on 15th February 2012; and
(c)applies in relation to England only(1).
2.—(1) For the purposes of section 8(3) of the Pests Act 1954, the following spring traps are approved, namely—
(a)any spring trap of a type and make specified in any entry in Column 1 of the Schedule; and
(b)any spring trap which is equivalent in all relevant respects to a spring trap of a type and make specified in any entry in Column 1 of the Schedule.
(2) The approvals given by paragraph (1) are subject in all cases to the conditions that —
(a)the trap must be used in accordance with the instructions (if any) provided by the manufacturer; and
(b)so far as is practicable without unreasonably compromising its use for killing or taking target species, the trap must be used in a manner that minimises the likelihood of its killing, taking or injuring non-target species;
and to such further conditions (if any) as to the animals for which, and the circumstances in which, the spring trap may be used as are specified in the corresponding entry in Column 2 of the Schedule (or, in the case of a trap approved under the equivalence provision in paragraph (1)(b), as are so specified in relation to the trap to which it is equivalent).
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a spring trap is equivalent in all relevant respects to a spring trap of a type and make specified in the Schedule if it corresponds to the spring trap so specified in construction, in materials, in impact force or momentum, and in all other respects which are relevant to its effect or manner of operation as a trap.
3. The following instruments are revoked—
(a)the Spring Traps Approval Order 1995(2);
(b)the Spring Traps Approval (Variation) (England) Order 2007(3);
(c)the Spring Traps Approval (Variation) (England) Order 2009(4);
(d)the Spring Traps Approval (Variation) (England) Order 2010(5).
Taylor of Holbeach
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
4th January 2012