The 16th FAOPMA Conference Focused On IPM in Urban Areas

BOMBAY, India — The 16th FAOPMA (Federation of Asian Oceanic Pest Management Association) Convention and International and Exhibition, whose theme was “Integrated Pest Management for Urban Areas”, was held in the host city of Bombay, India, Nov. 22-26, 2004.

More than 750 attendees from 22 countries (including the U.S.A., China, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Borneo, Thailand, Great Britain, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Korea, Philippines and Malaysia) enjoyed presentations on both technical and management topics from many world-renowned speakers.

Technical speakers included: NPMA Past President Robert Kunst of Fischer Environmental Services; Dr. Bhadriraju Subramanyam of Kansas State University; Dr. David Nash of Bayer Environmental Sciences Singapore; Patrick Kelly of Insects Limited Australia; Dr Adrian Meyer from Berkshire, England; Dr. CH. Reichmuth of the Biological Research Center of Berlin; Dr.Motokazu Hirao of the Japan Pest Control Association; and Surgeon General CDR. Bhandari Sundeep. These presentations covered a broad range of topics.

The expanded technical program included Kunst, who spoke on “Integrated Pest Management in Food Processing Plants,” highlighting the work that Fischer Environmental Services does with the food processing industry.

Convention Chairman Balreet Pruthi, president of the Indian Pest Control Association said, “We are so happy that our convention was so well attended and especially that our attendees enjoyed the expanded technical sessions along with the excellent management presentations.”

“F.A.O.P.M.A. has really come into its own now,” said Kunst. “The convention was first class and the speakers were excellent. The Asian pest control industry is fast becoming a highly integrated multinational business which has all the needs that we have in North America.”

“The size and quality of the exhibit hall displays was excellent”, said Fisher’s Barbara Kunst. “This just demonstrates the strength and size of the F.A.O.P.M.A. organization.”

Hong Won Soo of Korea, general director of the Korea Pest Control Association, congratulated Mr. Pruthi on a fine year. This year’s convention will be held in Goyang, Korea, Nov. 22-24, 2005.