Mumbai 16 September 2024: The Glue Boards Manufacturers Association (GBMA), a coalition of leading glue board manufacturers committed to advocating for the essential role of glue boards in pest control, has taken a firm stance against recent actions by several District Collectors in Gujarat who have moved to restrict the use and sale of glue traps for rodent control. The association has applied to intervene in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) currently under review by the Gujarat High Court, asserting that these actions are premature and undermine the judicial process. 
Over the past three weeks, certain District Collectors in Gujarat have independently initiated measures to curb the use of glue traps, citing Section 11(i) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. This section states that “without reasonable cause, abandoning an animal in the circumstances likely to cause it pain, such as starvation or thirst, is a punishable offence”. However, the GBMA argues that these provisions of Section 11.1 do not apply to rodent control measures, given the reasonable cause established under law, including the guidelines of the Central Insecticides Board—Registration Committee (CIB-RC).
The association has pointed out that such moves by some district collectors are arbitrary and bad in law as in the same act, Section 11.3 clearly states that“nothing in this section 11.1 shall apply to (c.) the extermination or destruction of the animal under the authority of any law for the time being in force;” Therefore, it is evident that the rodent control is a legitimate extermination which is exempted. The association asserts that rodent control is mandatory for food safety under FSSAI, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), US FDA audits, and other regulatory and governing bodies. The GBMA strongly objects to these actions, arguing they are legally questionable given the ongoing High Court case and could disrupt rodent management efforts essential for public health and hygiene.
“Why are these actions initiated when the matter is still sub judice and no order has yet been pronounced?” GBMA questioned in a statement. The association insists that glue traps are a critical tool in managing rodent populations, which is vital for preventing the spread of diseases, ensuring food safety, and maintaining hygiene standards. According to GBMA, the use of glue traps falls well within a “reasonable cause”. It is also exempted from the applications of provisions of Section 11.1 as stated in Section 11.3 (c) as cited above, thereby making the actions by the District Collectors both arbitrary and condemnable.
The Central Insecticides Board—Registration Committee (CIB-RC), a nodal authority regulating insecticides, rodenticides and pesticides, has recently eased licensing requirements to make household pest control solutions more accessible. Stakeholders have widely welcomed this initiative of CIB-RC as it supports public health initiatives by simplifying access to essential pest management products. Mukesh Patel, Secretary of Glue Boards Manufacturers Association (GBMA) and Managing Director, Arbuda Agrochemicals, said that “while there is a need to make the pest control products accessible to the general public, as initiated by CIB-RC, the move by some Gujarat Collector’s is regressive, contradictory and undermine such efforts, leading to confusion and potential public health risks”.
The GBMA warns that any sudden restriction on the use of glue traps could significantly disrupt industries in Gujarat that rely on these tools to maintain quality standards and ensure compliance with quality and public health regulations. “If essential tools like glue boards are discontinued, public health authorities will face tremendous challenges in managing the rodent menace,” the association cautioned.
The GBMA calls on authorities to refrain from taking any further action until the Gujarat High Court has rendered its decision on the matter. “Such acts by some collectors in Gujarat will only lead to confusion and chaos and are totally uncalled for,” the GBMA emphasised.
The association advocates for a balanced approach that considers animal welfare concerns and the necessity of effective rodent management to protect public health and safety. As the legal debate continues, the outcome of the PIL in the Gujarat High Court will be closely watched by all stakeholders involved in pest control, public health, and animal welfare across the country.
