Pest Control Section

Clause BRC 8
4.14 Pest Management

If pest activity is identified, it shall not present a risk of

contamination to products, raw materials or packaging.
The presence of any infestation on site shall be documented in
4.14.1 pest management records and be part of an effective pest control
programme to eliminate or manage the infestation so that it does
not present a risk to products, raw materials or packaging

The site shall either contract the services of a competent pest

management organisation or have appropriately trained staff for
the regular inspection and treatment of the site to deter and
eradicate infestation.
The frequency of inspections shall be determined by risk
assessment and shall be documented. The risk assessment shall
be reviewed whenever:
• there are changes to the building or production processes which
4.14.2
could have an impact on the pest management programme.
• there has been a significant pest issue.
Where the services of a pest management contractor are
employed, the service scope shall be clearly defined and reflect
the activities of the site.
Service provision regardless of the source shall meet with all
applicable regulatory requirements.
 Where a site undertakes its own pest management, it shall be
able to effectively demonstrate that:
• pest management operations are undertaken by trained and
competent staff with sufficient knowledge to select appropriate
pest control chemicals and proofing methods and understand the
limitations of use, relevant to the biology of the pests associated
with the site
• staff undertaking pest management activities meet any legal
4.14.3 requirements for training or registration
• sufficient resources are available to respond to any infestation
issues
• there is ready access to specialist technical knowledge when
required
• legislation governing the use of pest control products is
understood and complied with
• dedicated locked facilities are used for the storage of pesticides.

Pest management documentation and records shall be

maintained. At a minimum, this shall include:
• an up-to-date plan of the full site, identifying pest control
devices and their locations
• identification of the baits and/or monitoring devices on site
• clearly defined responsibilities for the site management and the
contractor
4.14.4
• details of pest control products used, including instructions for
their effective use and action to be taken in case of emergencies
• any observed pest activity
• details of pest control treatments undertaken.
Records may be on paper (hard copy) or controlled on an
electronic system (e.g. an online reporting system).

Bait stations or other rodent monitoring or control devices shall

be appropriately located and maintained to prevent
contamination risk to product. Toxic rodent baits shall not be used
within production or storage areas where open product is present
4.14.5 except when treating an active infestation. Where toxic baits are
used, these shall be secured.
Any missing bait stations shall be recorded, reviewed and
investigated.
 Insect-killing devices, pheromone traps and/or other insect
monitoring devices shall be appropriately sited and operational. If
4.14.6 there is a danger of insects being expelled from a fly-killing
extermination device and contaminating the product, alternative
systems and equipment shall be used.

The site shall have adequate measures in place to prevent birds

4.14.7 from entering buildings or roosting above loading or unloading
areas.

In the event of infestation, or evidence of pest activity, immediate

action shall be taken to identify at-risk products and to minimise
4.14.8 the risk of product contamination. Any potentially affected
products should be subject to the non-conforming product
procedure.

Records of pest management inspections, pest proofing and

hygiene recommendations and actions taken shall be maintained.
4.14.9 It shall be the responsibility of the site to ensure that all of the
relevant recommendations made by its contractor or in-house
expert are carried out in a timely manner.

An in-depth, documented pest management survey shall be

undertaken at a frequency based on risk, but at least annually, by
a pest control expert to review the pest management measures in
place. The survey shall:
• provide an in-depth inspection of the facility for pest activity
4.14.10
• review the existing pest management measures in place and
make any recommendations for change.
The survey shall be timed to allow access to equipment for
inspection where a risk of stored product insect infestation exists.

Results of pest management inspections shall be assessed and

analyzed for trends on a regular basis. At a minimum, results of
inspections shall be analyzed:
• annually or
4.14.11 • in the event of an infestation.
The analysis shall include results from trapping and monitoring
devices to identify problem areas. The analysis shall be used as a
basis for improving the pest management procedures.
 Employees shall understand the signs of pest activity and be
4.14.12 aware of the need to report any evidence of pest activity to a
designated manager.
est Control Section

Clause IFS 7
4.13 Pest monitoring and control

Site infrastructure and operations shall be designed

4.13.1
and built to prevent pest infestation.

The company shall have adequate pest control

measures in place which shall be in compliance
with local legal requirements and shall take into
account, at a minimum:
• factory environment (potential pests)
• type of raw material/finished products
• site plan with area for application (bait map)
• constructional designs susceptible for pest activity,
4.13.2* such as ceilings, cellars, pipes, corners
• identification of the baits on site
• responsibilities, in-house/external
• agents used and their instructions for use and
safety
• frequency of inspections
• rented storage if applicable.
The pest control measures shall be based on hazard
analysis and assessment of associated risks.
 Where a company hires a third-party service provider
for pest control, all requirements specified
above shall be clearly defined in the service contract.
A person at the company shall be appointed
4.13.3 and trained to monitor the pest control measures.
Even if the pest control service is outsourced,
responsibilities for the necessary actions (including
ongoing supervision of pest control activities)
shall remain within the company.

Pest control inspections and resulting actions shall be

documented. Implementation of actions
4.13.4 shall be monitored and recorded. Any infestation
shall be documented and control measures
taken

Baits, traps and insect exterminators shall be fully

functioning, sufficient in number, designed for
4.13.5
purpose, placed in appropriate positions and used in
a way that avoids any contamination risks.
 Incoming deliveries shall be inspected on arrival for
4.13.6 the presence of pests. Any findings shall be
recorded.

The effectiveness of the pest control measures shall

be monitored, including trend analysis, to
4.13.7
allow timely appropriate actions. Records of this
monitoring shall be available.