Latest News from BPCA

21 May 2018

Your say: Public consultation on drones (unmanned aircraft)

The European Commission is conducting an open public consultation relating to the possible adoption of rules applicable to drone operations.

Any changes in the rules may affect professional pest management companies that use drones as a tool within their business.

All EU citizens and organisations are invited to contribute to this consultation.

Drones can be a useful tool for professional pest management companies. Changes to the law will likely affect pest controllers who use Unmanned Aircraft.

The consultation considers:

  • Basic rules that drones as a product must meet
  • Basic rules that operators must meet
  • Benefits drones can bring
  • Approval from the aviation authority
  • Privacy, data protection, and security requirements

The results will feed into the new rules on drones and drones operations and possible future follow-up rules related to drone operations.

The questionnaire concerns the civil use of drones for public use as well as recreational and commercial activity.

Have your say 

Consultation ends: 9 July 2018

According to the European Commission, Unmanned aircraft (drones) can bring substantial benefits to the society at large and growing businesses.

In Europe, drones are being used for aerial photography, safety inspections of infrastructure, such as rail tracks, dams, bridges or power grids, disaster relief, eg to overfly flooded areas or to support firefighting, and also to support precision farming through more effective and timely application of fertilisers or pesticides. At the same time, the use of drones raises sometimes questions among a general public with regard to safety, security and privacy.

European Commission

Drones have many applications that pest management companies could use, including doing safer, quicker and more comprehensive site-surveys of difficult to access areas. 

Source: Online

Highlights View all news

29 January 2026

Latest news

Have your say on the new Level 4 pest management qualification

The professional pest management industry is entering a key period of change. As standards rise, the need for a clear, credible and practical career pathway has never been more important.

Read more

27 January 2026

Latest news

BPCA submits evidence on Decent Homes Standard (Northern Ireland)

BPCA is taking the fight against pests in rented properties to Northern Ireland, responding to proposals to update the Decent Homes Standard, which applies to social housing.

Read more

08 January 2026

Latest news

Glue trap sales changes can move forward after committee backs regulations

The Draft United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Exclusions from Market Access Principles: Glue Traps) Regulations 2025 cleared an important hurdle yesterday.

Read more
Latest View all news

29 January 2026

Latest news

BPCA launches new member benefit with Insectram

BPCA has launched a new member benefit in partnership with Insectram, giving members exclusive discounts and hands-on support with a digital platform built specifically for professional pest management businesses.

Read more

29 January 2026

Latest news

Have your say on the new Level 4 pest management qualification

The professional pest management industry is entering a key period of change. As standards rise, the need for a clear, credible and practical career pathway has never been more important.

Read more

28 January 2026

Latest news

Free government AI training opens up for everyone

The UK government has announced a major expansion of its AI Skills Boost programme , making free, practical AI training available to every adult in the country.

Read more