31st December 2024 – (Hong Kong) The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) of Hong Kong announced today the initiation of the Anti-Rodent Charter aimed at enhancing residents’ awareness of environmental hygiene and fostering collaborative efforts towards a rodent-free environment. The Charter invites participation from property management companies, owners’ corporations, residents’ organisations in private residential areas, as well as entities such as the Hong Kong Housing Society and Tenants Purchase Scheme estates.
Under the Charter, participating premises will appoint anti-rodent liaison ambassadors tasked with coordinating rodent control initiatives. These ambassadors will conduct regular inspections, oversee necessary repairs, and ensure the effective cleaning and disposal of refuse within their buildings. In addition to implementing anti-rodent measures, they will monitor the performance of hired pest control contractors and maintain detailed records of their activities. A key component of their role will be to educate residents about good hygiene practices and promote a clean living environment.
Participants will benefit from free technical support from the FEHD, including access to pest control seminars. The department will also recognise participants’ commitment by issuing Charter certificates and stickers, alongside maintaining a public list of participating organisations on its website.
A spokesperson for the FEHD noted that the department is contemplating expanding the Charter to encompass other sectors in the future, contingent on the insights gained from this initial phase.
The spokesperson emphasised that effective rodent prevention requires a concerted effort from government departments, stakeholders, and the public, urging residents to eliminate the three essential conditions for rodent survival: food, shelter, and access routes. This initiative represents a proactive step towards creating a more liveable urban environment in Hong Kong.
