FEHD launches Anti-rodent Charter for residential premises
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (December 31) the launch of the Anti-rodent Charter (the Charter) for residential buildings and related commercial units to promote residents' awareness of environmental hygiene and encourage them to cultivate good habits with a view to working together for the target of a rodent-free environment. The department invites property management companies, owners' corporations, residents' organisations of private residential premises, the Hong Kong Housing Society, transitional housing, subsidised sales flats and Tenants Purchase Scheme estates to sign the Charter.
Premises participating in the Charter will undertake to assign anti-rodent liaison ambassadors to co-ordinate anti-rodent efforts. These ambassadors will carry out regular inspections, arrange necessary repairs and maintenance of facilities, and ensure proper cleaning and refuse removal at the housing estates or buildings. Besides implementing anti-rodent measures, participants have to supervise the quality and performance of the hired anti-rodent service contractors and maintain relevant records of anti-rodent work. They are also responsible for conveying anti-rodent messages to residents through promotion and education, encouraging residents to cultivate good habits in personal hygiene and maintain a clean environment.
Participants will receive free anti-rodent technical support from the FEHD, including invitations to attend pest control seminars organised by the FEHD. Additionally, the FEHD will present Charter certificates and stickers to participants and publish a list of participating organisations and premises on a dedicated webpage in recognition of their efforts.
The spokesman highlighted that the department is considering extending the Charter to other sectors in due course, based on the experience of the first phase of the Anti-rodent Charter, with a view to collaborating on the creation of a more livable environment.
Details of the Charter have been uploaded to the FEHD's Anti-rodent Charter Website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/anti_rodent_charter.html).
The spokesman emphasised that effective rodent prevention and control hinges on the co-operation of government departments, relevant sectors, stakeholders, as well as members of the public to bolster anti-rodent efforts in their respective areas. Members of the public should maintain good environmental hygiene and eliminate the three fundamental survival conditions of rodents, namely food, harbourage and passages, i.e. the elimination of the food sources and hiding places of rodents as well as blockage of their dispersal routes.
