Attendees during a session at the PestWorld East 2019 conference.

Shamila Jamaluddin, Staff Reporter

ABU DHABI: The PestWorld East 2019, a specialised conference addressing pest management challenges specific to the Middle East region, started on Tuesday in the capital facilitating the exchange of knowledge on a range of topics related to sustainable pest control.

The two-day conference, being held for the first time in the capital, is hosted by Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) in collaboration with Ecovar, a provider of sustainable pest control solutions in the UAE, and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) from the US.

Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment opening the conferenc, said the UAE has launched several initiatives and implemented a host of environmental legislations in the field of pesticide management. “These include a law that bans the import, export and circulation of any kinds of pesticides unless they are registered with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. A second law regulates the advertising of pesticides to avoid misleading consumers.”

He added that the Ministry had established clear mechanisms to regulate the import and registration of pesticides. “In order to prevent the entry of health-threatening products into the UAE, we have issued thirty-three stringent specifications for the permitted pesticides in line with the highest international standards.”

In addition the Ministry has created an electronic database of all pesticides used in the UAE, which currently includes 395 products.

At an exhibition held on the sidelines of the conference, Tadweer is showcasing its latest innovations and equipment used for the detection and control of pest breeding sites.

Challenge

“Flies create a major nuisance for customers’ homes and businesses. Flies are also capable of transmitting many pathogens that threaten human and animal health. The purpose designed formulation of Zyrox fly granular bait remains highly palatable for many weeks after bait placement.

After four weeks exposed to environmental conditions, Zyrox still maintained 100 per cent control of flies within twenty four hours of treatment.