Legal Notice

Redbridge Environmental Solutions Pest Control Legislation explained

Legal Requirements for Commercial Pest Control

In the food industry, especially on premises, which involve food production and preparation, it is crucial that surfaces are kept clean and highly hygienic and the presence of pests is indeed unacceptable. Redbridge Environmental Solutions network of local technicians fully qualified to advise on environmental Health Issues covering the UK and Ireland provides tailored commercial pest control services and provides advice on best practice and what business owners should be doing in order to comply with legislation.

Food Hygiene Regulations 2006

According to the 1990 Food Hygiene Regulations, the “walls, floors, doors, windows, ceiling, woodwork and all other parts of the structure of every food room shall be kept clean and shall be kept in good order, repair and condition as to prevent so far as reasonably practical the entry of birds, and any risk of infestation by rats, mice, insects and other pests”.

In short, in order to make sure that your business complies with requirements described by the Food Hygiene you need to do your utmost to uphold the highest food hygiene standards and prevent pest contamination.

Due Diligence Defence

Section 21 of the Food Safety Act 1990 allows anyone who may be facing legal action to use the defence of “due diligence” during the proceedings. Due diligence is taken into account and you can defend yourself by proving you have taken that all reasonable precautions to avoid the offence being committed.

Why it is important avoid insect contamination

Using professional pest control to remove insect infestations can be put forward as part of a due diligence defence. We always advice clients that prevention is more effective than control, so making sure that your premises are immaculate will significantly decrease the chances of infestations being developed.

Other Legal Requirements concerning pest infestation include:

• The Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949
• The Protection of Animals Act 1911
• Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1927
• The Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932
• Public Health Act 1936
• Public Health Act 1961
• The Prevention of Damage by Rabbits Act 1939
• Agriculture Act 1947
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• The Poisons Act 1972
• The Local Government Act 1972
• Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 and the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1968
• Pests Act 1954
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation 1988
• The Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985
• Animal Health Act 1981 Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and the dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) Order 1984