First introduced in 1957, all approved spring traps are listed on Spring Traps Approval Orders (STAOs). It is an offence, in respect of any animal to use or permit the use of a spring trap not approved by the government agencies under Spring Trap Approval Orders.   STAOs contain a number of details and rules for specific trap designs, such as the species which they are permitted to be set for, the circumstances in which they can be used, and any particular requirements relating to their use. In Scotland the STAO is issued under sections 50(3) and 85(3) of the Agriculture Scotland Act 1948 as amended By the Pests Act 1954 and the Scotland Act 1998. In England and Wales it is issued under sections 8(3) and (7) of the Pests Act 1954. In Northern Ireland it is issued under articles 12A(2) and 12A(3) of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.   In effect, STAOs are developed from legislation that is supposed to monitor how 'humanely' 'pest' animals can be killed in spring traps. In reality the approval orders are largely formulated after extensive consultation with the shooting and agriculture lobbies and allow a 'business as usual' approach.