British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has raised pest management priorities with politicians and representatives from across the UK chemicals sector at a parliamentary reception in Westminster.
BPCA chief executive Rosina Robson attended the Chemical Business Association (CBA) reception at the Palace of Westminster last week.
Hosted by Julia Buckley MP for Shrewsbury, the event brought together politicians, industry representatives and trade associations to mark more than 100 years of the CBA representing the chemical supply chain.
Discussions focused on some of the regulatory and economic challenges facing the sector, including UK REACH, future UK-EU relations and access to effective chemical products.
For the pest management sector, decisions around chemicals regulation can ultimately affect which professional products are available, how much they cost and the range of tools technicians have available.
BPCA has been working alongside the CBA and other organisations through the Alliance for Chemical Associations (ACA), calling for a workable UK chemicals regulatory system that avoids unnecessary duplication and cost while maintaining high standards.
The association also used the reception to discuss the developing relationship between the UK and EU, including the proposed sanitary and phytosanitary agreement.
Ms Robson said: “Pest management has a real stake in the decisions being made about chemical regulation.
“Our members need a regulatory system that protects people and the environment while making sure professionals can continue to access the tools they need to protect public health.
“Events like this give us an opportunity to make that case directly, build relationships with the people influencing policy and make sure professional pest management isn’t an afterthought when wider chemicals policy is developed.”
The reception also heard from Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Reindustrialisation, who spoke about skilled jobs, industrial competitiveness and investment.
CBA chief executive Tim Doggett called for chemicals to receive greater recognition within government, including greater coordination between industrial, economic and environmental policy.
BPCA representatives also discussed the future direction of chemical regulation with parliamentarians, including former Environment Secretary George Eustice.
The association said its attendance formed part of its wider work to ensure professional pest management is represented in discussions that could affect the sector.
