Europest event demonstrates CEPA’s leadership

The subjects debated at Europest fell into two halves. The second day looked at technical issues facing the industry. Whereas on the initial opening day, industry related activities took centre stage, so it was totally appropriate that Gunnar Akerblom, as president of CEPA, should open proceedings. Gunnar reviewed CEPA’s recent achievements but warned delegates by saying: “It’s good to have high ambitions. But expectations within CEPA do not, regrettably, always match the available financial resources.”

Establishment of a European standard
For the future, one key objective remains the establishment of a common standard for pest management service throughout Europe. Initiated with the acceptance of the Rome Protocol in 2008, CEPA is now working with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to produce a European standard which will specify the requirements, recommendations and basic competences to reach a professional operation level of the services provided by pest management services companies, to meet the needs of private companies, public authorities and consumers. A bold move, and one which is likely to cause some heated debate, but it may well prove invaluable once the predicted requirements of the forthcoming Sustainable Use Directive come into play.

Leading this CEN project for CEPA is Sergio Urizio from ANID (the Italian national pest control association) who was regrettably unable to be present. However, Maitane Olabarria from CEN updated delegates on progress. Despite an excellent start, Ms Olabarria felt a completion date of 2013 was more realistic.

Dr Andy Adams from Bayer, but representing the European Chemical Industries Council (CEFIC), discussed the impact of the forthcoming Sustainable Use Directive and Dr Alan Buckle of Alan Buckle Consulting addressed the European Commission’s stance concerning the use of anticoagulant rodenticides. Both speakers remarked how effective the representations orchestrated by CEPA and its national affiliates have been in raising the profile of the worth of these product types within the Brussels community.

As chairman of the CEPA Manufacturers College, Daniel Lucian from BASF outlined the activities of the CEPA Working Group in building an effective lobbying network, tapping into the biocidal interests of related organisations such as the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) and ultimately with CEFIC. “This is the first time the industry has really successfully pulled together,” concluded a pleased Mr Lucien.

Emerging pest problems
On the second day the spotlightturned to two pests of ever-increasing significance for CEPA members – bedbugs and mosquitoes. Speakers from Denmark, Australia, the USA and the UK gave a true international perspective to the problematic bedbug issue.

Similarly, mosquitoes are an increasing problem around Europe due largely to the effects of climate change. Increased rainfall and temperature levels have led to new and rapidly growing outbreaks of this vector-carrying pest as covered by Achim Kaiser of the German Mosquito Control Association (KABS) and Dr Claudio Venturelli of the Public Health Department from Cesana, Italy.

Concluding his talk, Dr Venturelli urged the audience to: “Think globally, but act locally.” A motto appropriate to all types of pest management problems.

Not all work and no play
Delegates were able to enjoy something of the beautifiul city of Budapest with an evening dinner cruise on the Danube kindly sponsored by Brandenburg.

 Rob Fryatt (left) with CEPA president, Gunnar Akerblom (right) and speaker Ole Kilpinen

 
Maitane Olabarria from CEN 

 
Dr Andy Adams outlined what Brussels holds

 Speaker, Dr Claudio Venturelli (left) with BPCA”s Richard Moseley and Stefano Scarponi of Blue Line

 An attentive audience

The Budapest parliament building provides a fairy-tale backdrop to dinner on the Danube