BPCA has highlighted the importance of professional pest management to public health during a visit by Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson to member company CSS Pest Services.
BPCA said MP visits give the association a direct route to raise members’ concerns with policymakers, from protecting the professional toolkit to shaping housing and biocide regulation. The stronger those relationships are, the better chance we have of influencing decisions before they affect your work.
Ms Atkinson visited the Derby-based business, meeting CSS Pest Services managing director Jason Cholerton and BPCA chief executive Rosina Robson.
The visit gave BPCA an opportunity to discuss the role pest professionals play in protecting homes, businesses, hospitals and schools from the damage, distress and disease associated with pest infestations.
Mr Cholerton introduced CSS Pest Services, which employs around 20 people and continues to grow, and explained why pest professionals need access to an effective range of control tools.
Housing and Awaab’s Law
Housing was a significant part of the conversation, including the expansion of Awaab’s Law and the role professional pest management will play in helping social landlords deal with pest-related hazards.
Ms Atkinson discussed a complex bed bug case raised by one of her constituents, involving several different stakeholders, which she had previously taken up with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook.
The group also discussed innovative approaches to pest management, including the use of detection dogs for bed bugs.
Ms Robson said: “We’re grateful for Catherine’s interest in our sector and the opportunity to show how professional pest management supports public health in communities like Derby.
“There are some big policy decisions coming that will affect the tools available to pest professionals and the way infestations are managed in housing, so conversations like this with MPs are really valuable.”
Protecting the professional toolkit
In the meeting, BPCA raised concerns about the continued general sale of glue boards in England. While professional use is now subject to licensing, glue boards remain available for members of the public to purchase.
Ms Atkinson offered to raise the issue with ministers and seek clarification on whether the Government would consider further restrictions on general sale.
The meeting also covered biocide regulation and the potential impact of a future UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement. BPCA highlighted concerns about the cost and time involved in bringing new biocidal products to the UK market and the effect this can have on innovation.
The discussion followed the publication of BPCA’s No Small Matter report, which estimated professional pest management contributes £1 billion to the UK economy while preventing around £1.9bn in costs to households and businesses each year.
Ms Robson added: “Our members attended an estimated 4.4 million client jobs in 2025. Pest management might not always be visible, but it is an essential part of keeping people, property and businesses safe.”
