USE ONLY REGISTERED PEST CONTROL OPERATORS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY!
- adriaansnyma2
- Dec 5, 2014
- 2 min read
CropLife South Africa (CLSA) and the South African Pest Control Association (SAPCA) urge all members of the public and state departments to only use registered pest control operators when they require pest control services. It is imperative that clients check whether such service providers are registered as Pest Control Operators under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947).
Any person who offers pest control services in the course of business must be registered under Act No. 36 of 1947. Over the past year there were a number of incidents where unregistered individuals performed pest control services with dire consequences to their clients. Such individuals have virtually no knowledge of the pesticides they apply and create a serious health risk for people that inhabit, work or venture in such places. Registered pest control operators must present their certificates that are issued by the Registrar of Act No. 36 of 1947 with their P-numbers (operator’s license) to clients to prove that they are registered.
Clients must also insist on the following:
1. A quotation stating the name, contact details and P-number of the registered pest control operator.
2. The trade name and active ingredient of the pesticide that will be applied as well as the dosage that is envisaged to ensure effective control.
3. Warnings such as evacuating premises before the pest control operation commences and time lapse before such premises may be occupied after the control operation.
Clients have the right and responsibility to check the labels of pesticides that are used to ensure that such products are registered for pest control in an environment habituated by people. These details can be found in the “Directions for use” sections on labels. Should a pest control operator attempt using a pesticide that is not registered for pest control in human inhabited environments, the client should report such misconduct to SAPCA and CLSA.
Clients can also check on the validity of pesticides and what they are registered for by interrogating the CLSA Database on agricultural remedies on:
http://www.croplife.co.za/Portals/13/Croplife_Documents/Pesticides.pdf
Clients may also call SAPCA to check whether a pest control operator offering such services is actually registered.
Should clients feel the need to check on any compliance issues they should call SAPCA or CLSA. We offer our expert advice to ensure responsible and effective pest management. However, should pest control operators contravene Act No. 36 of 1947, complaints will be submitted to the Inspection Services of the Directorate of Agriculture Inputs Control who will investigate these matters and prosecute offenders.
For further information please contact:
Ms Lynette Cokayne, CEO of SAPCA on 012 654 8038 or info@sapca.org.za or visit the SAPCA website www.sapca.co.za where all active members are listed with their contact details;
or
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CLSA consultant on 082-446-8946.
Press Release
Comments