Sector

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.

[email protected]

Source: Online

Highlights View all news

26 August 2026

Latest news

SOFHT announced as first strategic partner for PestAware Summit 2027

British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has announced the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology (SOFHT) as the first strategic partner for PestAware Summit 2027.

Read more

30 July 2026

Latest news

BPCA seeks industry experience on working dogs

As greater public attention has fallen on hunting and the use of dogs, BPCA is asking pest professionals to share their experiences with using working dogs.

Read more

23 June 2026

Latest news

VIDEO: Can you sleep tight? Bed bug behaviour, monitoring and treatment

Alexia Naylor from the Bed Bug Foundation explores what current research tells us about bed bug behaviour, monitoring and treatment.

Read more
Latest View all news

15 October 2026

Latest news

BPCA Chief Exec defends working dogs at Stormont

BPCA gave evidence at Stormont to make sure the draft Hunting with Dogs (Northern Ireland) Bill protects the use of working dogs in pest management.

Read more

15 October 2026

Latest news

How AI picks a pest controller

Matt Goren explains how AI assistants recommend local businesses and what pest management companies can do to improve their chances of being found.

Read more

14 October 2026

Latest news

Taking pest management to Labour conference

Rosina Robson reflects on a day at Labour’s conference, the conversations taking place around government and what they mean for BPCA members.

Read more