Latest News from BPCA

17 December 2020

Defra releases final 2021 General Licences for bird control

Defra has published its final versions of the new General Licences for the lethal control of wild birds, which will take effect on 1 January 2021.

defra-releases-final-bird-licences

Last month Defra shared the new general licences to give pest professionals as much time as possible to become familiar with them before they take effect on 1 January 2021.

The final new general licences, which includes the condition for European protected sites, were published in full on 16 December 2020.

The licences published are:

  • Conservation licence GL40 (currently GL34) Read >
  • Public health and safety licence GL41 (currently GL35) Read >
  • Serious damage licence GL42 (currently GL36) Read >

Pest professionals will typically be using the GL41 for public health and safety which covers:

Species (scientific name) for which action is to be taken

Slips and falls

Spread of human disease

Issues with birds nesting

Canada goose
(Branta Canadensis)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Feral pigeon
(Columba livia)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Jackdaw
(Corvus monedula)

No

No

Yes

Monk parakeet
(Myiopsitta monachus)

No

No

Yes

The revised trapping conditions for the new general licences are in the updated GL33 document, here.

A Defra spokesperson told BPCA, "The new licences are the result of nearly 18 months of work, including analysis of over 4000 responses to our user survey, and review of the scientific evidence.

"Many of you have actively participated in meetings and workshops, this has been a valuable part of the process, thank you."

Questions or concerns about new licences?

If you're a BPCA member and have any concerns or questions about licences, please contact us.

technical@bpca.org.uk

Source: Online

Highlights View all news

31 October 2025

Latest news

VIDEO: Consumer vulnerability: recognising the signs, reducing the risks with Louise Baxter MBE

Louise Baxter MBE, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team and Non-Executive Director at TrustMark, explores what consumer vulnerability really means in 2025 and how it affects the work you do every day.

Read more

30 October 2025

Latest news

BPCA launch new careers hub, video and Open Doors Charter

Rosina Robson shares how the Association’s new pestcareers.org.uk hub, recruitment film, Open Doors Charter and social media campaign are helping to attract a more diverse, skilled and inspired workforce into pest management.

Read more

29 October 2025

Latest news

Government guidance on Awaab’s Law issued for social landlords

On 27 October 2025, Awaab’s Law entered into force. Applying to social landlords, their tenants are now protected against emergency hazards and significant damp and mould hazards.

Read more
Latest View all news

25 November 2025

Latest news

New social housing reporting checklist template to help pest technicians support landlords under Awaab’s Law

BPCA members can now access a new Social Housing Reporting Checklist in the BPCA Member Library, designed to make it easier for technicians to record and report potential hazards when working in social housing properties.

Read more

25 November 2025

Latest news

Raccoons remain on watchlist following Cornwall sighting

Experts at national trade body, British Pest Control Association (BPCA) are continuing to keep a watching brief on the expansion of raccoons across Europe after lone raccoon was spotted roaming gardens in Gwennap, Cornwall.

Read more

25 November 2025

Latest news

BPCA responds to Scottish Parliament’s Good Food Nation proposals

BPCA has been working to ensure professional pest management stays firmly on the radar of MSPs, following a call for views from the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee. 

Read more