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Editor’s note: Frances McKim, a partner in Active Solutions, filed the following report from the inaugural Europest event held in Rome, Italy, and organized by CEPA European Pest Management Industry Association
More than 140 delegates representing 17 countries from across Europe packed into the Holiday Inn in Rome, Italy, on April 2-3, for the inaugural Europest, which was organized by CEPA (the European Pest Management Industry Association). A selection of international speakers addressed key management issues facing the pest control industry, not the least of which was how the global pest control market is developing.
Rod Parker from AIS in London set the scene by examining the total non-crop (in other words non-agricultural) market for pesticides. From the market research undertaken, this non-crop sector has grown at product level from $6.45 billion in 1992 to $20 billion in 2006, or 57% in value terms of the crop protection market. Some 42% of this non-crop market falls within the Americas with insecticides accounting for more than half the global market value. The bad news is that this sector consists of a very wide variety of uses (e.g., forestry, consumer, timber) while those markets relevant to professional PCOs (turf, pest control and mosquito abatement) account for just under 20%.
The pest control market within Europe was addressed by Milagros Fernandez de Lezeta from ANECPLA – the Spanish Pest Control Association. In brief, the European pest control market including the service element is worth €2.2 billion, consists of 9,000 pest control companies and employs over 38,000 people.
Emerging markets – China and Poland
Two fascinating presentations on emerging markets followed. Yet both had a common theme – the development of a private pest control servicing industry following the liberalization of their market regimes. The first was delivered by California-based Pascal Cai who represents the China Pest Control Association. Like virtually all Chinese industries, pest control is on an exponential growth curve. The figures are quite staggering – a population of 1.3 billion (twice that of the entire European Union) and an annual economic growth rate of 10%.
The second presentation covered Poland and was presented by Adam Puscinski, vice president of the Polish Pest Control Association. With their market now liberalized, privately owned, often one-man, pest control companies have rapidly grown. As an association, one of its main objectives now is to provide appropriate training and work towards some form of certification scheme. A theme echoed throughout Europe.
The Rome Protocol – a European commitment to professionalism
A prime objective for CEPA is to develop professionalism and training throughout Europe. To this end, Sergio Urizio from the Italian Pest Control Association (ANID) outlined the objectives contained within what is to be known as “The Rome Protocol.” This document, having gained acceptance from all CEPA members, outlines the standards of professionalism demanded of its members – these cover training, product use and a commitment to customers. At the General Assembly held immediately following Europest, CEPA voted to request compliance with the Rome Protocol mandatory for members of all its European national Associations– a step which will go far to raise the image of this industry with the European Commission.