Page 53 - CIJ July 2024 Digital Edition

PEST MANAGEMENT

Regulatory Compliance: Innovations in the 6. Integrated Pest Management
The fumigation industry faces (IPM): Combining fumigation
stringent regulations, including Market with other pest control
the requirement to operate within 1. Eco-Friendly Fumigants: methods, IPM strategies aim to
100km of the licensed location. To address environmental minimize chemical use while
Navigating these rules can be concerns, new fumigants maximizing effectiveness.
complex and expensive, especially with minimal toxicity and This holistic approach includes
for time-sensitive export and import environmental impact are being sanitation, structural repairs, and
segments. Consequently, many new developed. Ethanedinitrile biological controls to create a
companies have cropped up which (EDN) is an alternative to comprehensive pest management
issue certificates without actually methyl bromide for timber as it plan.
fumigating cargo, particularly for is not a greenhouse gas. 7. Regulatory Innovations: On
wooden packaging material exempt 2. Controlled Atmosphere the regulatory front, there is a
from phytosanitary certification. Technologies: This involves growing emphasis on having

Logistical Challenges: increasing carbon dioxide levels international standards for
Fumigation, such as those of grain or reducing oxygen levels fumigation. Organizations such
silos, food plants etc requires within a sealed environment, to as the International Maritime
sealing off large areas or structures, control pest populations without Organization (IMO) and Grain
which is logistically challenging the use of toxic chemicals. and Feed Trade Association
and highly labour intensive. Health This method is particularly (GAFTA) have developed
advantageous for treating
and safety of those involved also organic food products and standards of uniform processes
become a key consideration. across the world. GAFTA has
Ensuring that the entire space is stored grains. also developed an accreditation
treated uniformly without any 3. Phosphine Generators: scheme to this effect. These
leakage or exposure is critical to the Advances in technology such efforts should create regulatory
environment for businesses
success of the operation albeit an as phosphine generators have operating across borders.
extremely difficult task. made it possible to fumigate
and de-gas phosphine in much 8. Educational and Training
Technological Challenge: reduced time periods. These Programs: Innovations are
Given that fumigation is a highly systems adjust fumigant release also being seen in the realm
labour-intensive process and and ventilation, improving of education and training. All
requires repeated monitoring, efficiency and safety while stakeholders such as plant and
there have been no major technical reducing labour cost and time. warehouse in-charges are being
advancement in this segment 4. Heat Treatment: Heat trained w.r.t IPM procedures
such as automated monitoring or treatment has emerged as an to improve results. Certain
disbursal of fumigant which could effective non-chemical method companies have plans to
reduce labour challenges and time for pest control that involves modernize the training programs
consumption as yet. raising the temperature of the from their current archaic moulds.
Recognition Challenge: targeted area to a level that is These immersive training
Fumigation may be a relatively lethal to pests. This method is programs can significantly
small segment of the pest gaining popularity for its safety improve the preparedness and
management industry, but the entire and environmental benefits, competence of workers, reducing
pest management sector lacks particularly in the treatment of the risk of accidents.
industry status and recognition wooden structures and products. In conclusion, as these innovations
in India. Despite years of effort 5. Recapture Technology of advance and become commercially
to achieve this recognition, pest Methyl Bromide: Some available, they will help address
management companies remain companies are experimenting the outlined challenges. Involving
unrecognized as a distinct industry. with MBr recapture technology industry experts in facility design will
This is particularly concerning to reduce the amount of methyl further mitigate infestation issues.
given that pest management is bromide gas entering the Regulatory bodies must also actively
crucial for public health. Currently, atmosphere after de-gassing. address the industry’s concerns.
it is grouped with various unrelated This development will be key Optimizing the system for the desired
services, construction for example, until a complete replacement for results requires all stakeholders to
for tendering purposes in India. MBr can be identified. work together in synergy. CIJ

Clean India Journal•JULY 2024 53
www.cleanindiajournal.com