PPC123 | ASK THE TECHNICAL TEAM
BPCA’s technical team answers common questions on Ficam D withdrawal, glue-trap legislation, and waste disposal responsibilities.
Is BPCA doing anything to get Ficam D back?
We understand that there was a lot of disappointment about the loss of this product, but unfortunately, BPCA has no remit over product withdrawals. Removing Ficam D from the market was the manufacturer's decision. Envu UK announced the withdrawal of Ficam D (Bendiocarb) from the UK market in 2024 due to "regulatory measures".
Envu stated that new BPR registration rules following Brexit made it very difficult for them to keep products such as Ficam D on the market.
What we can do as your trade association is lobby for a chemical sector that prioritises public health and innovation. Post-Brexit, the cost and complexity of registering and renewing products in the UK make it harder for manufacturers to keep products on the market. By creating evidence through original research, engaging with academics, and speaking to policymakers, BPCA works to keep products on the shelves and ensure innovations around the world reach UK pest professionals.
Why are glue traps still available to the public?
It’s important to get it right according to which devolved nation we’re referring to here. Glue traps for rodents are still available for sale to the public in England, as the legislation focused on restricting their use rather than their sale.
Recent legislative updates, such as the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Exclusions from Market Access Principles: Glue Traps) Regulations 2025, have been introduced to exclude glue traps from "market access principles". This means devolved nations could enforce a full ban on the sale of these items without interference from UK-wide trade rules.
| Nation |
Use |
Sales |
| England |
Banned for public use; professionals can still use them under a strict individual licensing scheme |
Not banned |
| Scotland |
Implementing a full ban on use, possession, and sale, expected to be fully in force by July 2026. |
- |
| Wales |
Banned |
Not banned |
| Northern Ireland |
No legislation or limitations (however, the PMA Code of Best Practice for Glue Boards should be used at all times). |
- |
While it’s frustrating to see these items still available to buy in England, remember that their use is restricted. If you see unlicensed people using glue traps, you can call the non-emergency police number and report it as a wildlife crime.
BPCA will continue to lobby for the restriction on sales for the general public across the UK.
If you see any evidence of glue traps being used illegally, then be sure to contact policy@bpca.org.uk so we can show Defra how these traps are continuing to be used incorrectly. Be sure to include whether you found the example in England, Scotland or Wales.
Waste and quarterly returns: why do I need to do them? I’ve never done them before, so why now?
Each organisation is legally responsible for managing and disposing of its own waste in line with local legislation in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This sits under the Duty of Care requirements.
The Duty of Care places a legal responsibility on anyone who produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste to make sure it is handled correctly, from the point it is produced through to final recovery or disposal. This includes checking that any waste carrier or disposal company used is correctly authorised.
This isn’t a new thing – you should have always been doing this and if you need pointing in the right direction, we can give you a hand.