Following the Gross tragedy: new pesticides law

Following the tragedy of the Gross family, soon: Only licensed exterminators – the Knesset approved tonight (Monday) in the second and third reading the law regulating the handling of pesticides. The new law will take effect on the first of June.

The law stipulates, among other things, provisions for training exterminators, pesticide licensing procedures and supervision of pesticides in order to reduce the exposure and damage to public health, and reduce damage to the environment.

Environment Ministry officials said to Behadrey Haredim that the tragedy of the Gross family, where two children died following the negligence of the exterminator, led a push to promote the law.

Dealing with pesticides including use of hazardous materials, is often done in homes or close to humans, and requires close supervision to prevent disasters resulting from the use of pirated and unlicensed pesticides. According to the new law, as a precedent, environmental protection inspectors will be able to enforce the law of exterminators in the defense system.

The new law will provide a proper, professional and updated answer to many issues involved in pest control operations, special risks as a result of, for example, the use of gases that are extremely toxic.

The bill includes innovations and significant improvements in the field of safety and public health, including the duty of training of exterminators in a recognized course before receiving the license, the licensing obligation of all employees in pesticide and eliminating the pesticide employees class that are not authorized and not regulated, setting several types of licenses which are designated and graded, environmental priorities in selecting pesticides which will be used initially as preventatives and only when necessary there will be use of chemical pesticides, and expanding the powers of inspection and enforcement to include monetary sanctions.
Environment Minister Avi Gabbay said that "the Knesset approved a law today which is important for saving lives - to increase the safety of citizens and exterminators themselves. I thank MK David Amsalem and the members of the Committee on Interior for their vigorous activity for the bill and members of Knesset from all parties who supported it."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!