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Pest control is now covered in the government’s key worker list, under the “food and necessary goods" section, specifically concerning hygiene.
The decision comes after lobbying by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and European Pest Management Solutions Professional Association (known as CEPA), who have both urged the government to include their industry.
"We want to thank everyone that has taken the time to write to their MPs on the subject. It's taken a substantial collaborative effort for our relatively small sector to get the ear of the UK government".
–Ian Andrew
Chief Executive, BPCA
The Government announced its key workers list on 20 March 2020, which did not include pest management professionals at the time.
But pest management has been confirmed as an essential sector during the COVID-19 pandemic by George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
As a consequence, the children of pest management workers will be able to send their children to school during the pandemic and would be able to continue to work if the UK were to go into further lockdown measures.
Henry Mott, president of CEPA, received confirmation from his member of parliament, Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland and Melton, that she has had approval from Secretary of State, George Eustice MP.
BPCA is pursuing confirmation directly from DEFRA to support the letter.
Ian Andrew, BPCA Chief Exec, said: "We want to thank everyone that has taken the time to write to their MPs on the subject. It's taken a substantial collaborative effort for our relatively small sector to get the ear of the UK government".
Despite appeals from the British Cleaning Council (BCC) and the industry in general, those working in the cleaning sector continue to be omitted from key worker lists.
This has led cleaning companies such as Purgo Supply Services to provide their employees with a key worker letter, as “proof” of their need to attend work.
Picture: A close up of a cockroach
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 14 April 2020
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