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GBMA highlights role of glue boards in rodent control to safeguard food safety
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Saturday, 19 October, 2024, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
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The Glue Board Manufacturers Association (GBMA) has emphasised the critical role that glue boards play in ensuring food safety and public health. Addressing recent misinformation surrounding the use of glue boards, GBMA urged for regulatory clarity and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the continued availability of this essential tool in rodent control.
With rodents posing significant threats to food security by contaminating supplies and spreading diseases, glue boards are widely used across various industries to maintain hygiene and safety standards.
The association highlighted the crucial role glue boards play in ensuring food safety and public health, particularly in controlling rodent-borne diseases that can jeopardise food security.
Misinformation surrounding glue boards
GBMA was prompted by a circular issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to Chief Secretaries across States and Union Territories, which urged action against glue boards. GBMA clarified that this was not an official ban, but rather a circular. However, several state Animal Husbandry Departments have misinterpreted this communication, leading to internal advisories that have been incorrectly reported as a blanket ban by some media outlets.
This misunderstanding has created unnecessary panic among traders and businesses reliant on glue boards for rodent control.
The importance of glue boards for food safety and public health
Mukesh Patel, Secretary, GBMA, and MD, Arbuda Agrochemicals, voiced concerns over the implications of such misinformation.
"The ongoing misinformation surrounding glue boards is not only damaging to our industry but also poses a significant risk to public health and safety," Patel said. "We urge authorities to engage with us and all stakeholders to make informed decisions based on facts rather than unfounded claims," he added.
The GBMA elaborated that glue boards are an effective and affordable tool in rodent control, playing a pivotal role in preventing the spread of diseases such as leptospirosis and plague, which rodents can transmit. The association also noted the lack of comprehensive studies assessing alternative rodent control methods that are both humane and as effective as glue boards.
Impact on food security and industries
Rodents pose a serious threat to food safety and storage by contaminating food products and supplies. Effective rodent control, such as glue boards, is essential in safeguarding food industries and preventing economic losses. The GBMA stressed that banning glue boards without providing viable alternatives would severely impact businesses dependent on these tools to maintain hygiene and safety standards, including food processing, storage, and agricultural sectors.
The GBMA appealed to authorities for dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders, including glue board manufacturers, pest control operators, and affected industries. They underscored the importance of balancing animal welfare concerns with public health and safety requirements.
The association also reassured stakeholders of its commitment to promoting the responsible and ethical use of glue boards, urging users to handle and dispose of them properly to avoid unintended harm to non-target species. The GBMA expressed its willingness to work with regulatory bodies to ensure that decisions are made based on sound scientific data and practical realities.
The GBMA reiterated its dedication to advocating for a balanced, fact-based regulatory approach, ensuring the continued availability of glue boards as a crucial tool in integrated pest management strategies. By collaborating with regulators, educating the public, and promoting best practices, the GBMA aims to ensure the sustainability of pest control solutions critical to food safety and public health. The association hopes to see further discussions and reconsideration of the recent circulars to prevent disruptions to industries reliant on these essential tools.
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