Govt moves to eradicate illegal pest control operators

PETALING JAYA: The Government is beefing up action against illegal pest control operators who may be using unregulated products that harm public health.

This is following complaints from industry players on the high number of companies operating illegally.

Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Ahmad Zakaria Mohamad Sidek said it was currently screening operators to weed out unlicensed and inactive companies.

“It is a fact that there are pest control companies operating illegal- ly in Malaysia.

“We are always trying to curb their activities and are working closely with related agencies such as the Finance Ministry,” he said.

Currently, there are 2,683 pest control operators licensed under the Pesticides (Pest Control Operators) Rules 2004. However, only 611 are active.

“It is possible that the remaining companies are no longer in operation and their licences are not renewed due to the fact that they have to pay fees,” he said.

Ahmad Zakaria was responding to claims by licensed companies that they were being challenged by illegal operators, who were able to charge lower fees since they were not bound by regulations.

They also claimed that the illegal companies might be using unregistered products which could harm the end user. The department, through its Pesticide Control Division, regulates the use of pesticides, especially highly toxic products.

Ahmad Zakaria called on the public to report such illegal operators to the department so that it can take action against them.

Pest Control Association of Malaysia president Tajudin Abd Kadir said it had previously voiced out its grievances to the authorities.

“There are many illegal operators out there making up about 60% of pest control businesses today,” he said, adding that some unlicensed companies charge as low as 50% lower than legal businesses.

Tajudin, whose association represents some 200 licensed firms, said it had proposed heavier penalties on unlicensed operators.

“Don’t go for illegal operators even if their fees are cheap because they may be using harmful chemicals not approved by the authorities,” he said.

The public, said Tajudin, could visit www.pcam.com.my to check the list of its members.