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CEPA was delighted to host this international first in Europe. Rob Lederer, NPMA Executive Vice President, accompanied by NPMA President-elect Mike Rottler, represented North America, while Peter May of Xavca, represented AEPMA (Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association), and Dr. Motokazu Hirao represented FAOPMA (Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Associations).
CEPA President Robert Stuyt greeted the guests and said: “I am overjoyed to welcome our international colleagues. Their presence underlies our CEPA philosophy of working towards unifying the worldwide pest control industry and integrating our international priorities.”
The General Assembly was a very lively meeting reflecting the number of strategic changes going on within CEPA. Robert Stuyt was re-elected as president for an additional two years, while Marc Esculier, from CS3D in France, was re-elected as vice president. Rainer Gsell, from DSV in Germany, was elected as treasurer.
A strategic move that involved amendments to its statutes is to allow membership from international manufacturers, distributors and service companies. Up until now CEPA consisted solely of European trade associations. Taking up these new appointments were Patrick Vernie of Bayer Environmental Science, representing manufacturers; Serge Simon of Edialux France, representing distributors and covering. Representing service companies is Alain van Lidth de Jeude of Rentokil Initial.
Alain van Lidth de Jeude summed-up the feelings of the new members by saying: “CEPA is the voice of Europe. The return for our efforts comes from our customers in the market place, not from CEPA itself.”
The CEPA strategic plan until 2010, presented by Rob Fryatt, director general, was endorsed by the meeting. The key activities of the plan will be announced over the coming months.