Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Grace Fu, acknowledged in parliament that there was an increase in rat sightings around Singapore recently and she said that the National Environment Agency (NEA) is working with town councils to address the problem.
She noted that NEA had received a total of about 4,000 reports of rats in 2014 up from about 3000 the year before.
In 2014, NEA made 140,000 inspections of public areas and rat-related issues such as potential food sources, burrows and shelters for rats were identified so they could be removed.
Ms Fu also shared that action was taken against 82 food stalls for rat-related problems such as failing to cover and keep food, failing to keep their premise clean and rat-free.
She also noted that the most effective way to stop rats from infesting an area is to remove all potential food sources and possible shelters for rats.
“Ultimately it is the responsibility of all stakeholders including landowners, building management and food shop operators to put in place a good system of housekeeping, refuse management, and routine pest control checks and treatment to ensure that the rodent population is kept under control."
She also said that NEA constantly works with town councils, malls, hawker centres and other agencies to ensure that proper rodent management practices are in place.
He comments in parliament come after MPs raised concerns about the recent string of news piece highlighting the rat problem in various areas of Singapore.
She noted that NEA had received a total of about 4,000 reports of rats in 2014 up from about 3000 the year before.
In 2014, NEA made 140,000 inspections of public areas and rat-related issues such as potential food sources, burrows and shelters for rats were identified so they could be removed.
Ms Fu also shared that action was taken against 82 food stalls for rat-related problems such as failing to cover and keep food, failing to keep their premise clean and rat-free.
She also noted that the most effective way to stop rats from infesting an area is to remove all potential food sources and possible shelters for rats.
“Ultimately it is the responsibility of all stakeholders including landowners, building management and food shop operators to put in place a good system of housekeeping, refuse management, and routine pest control checks and treatment to ensure that the rodent population is kept under control."
She also said that NEA constantly works with town councils, malls, hawker centres and other agencies to ensure that proper rodent management practices are in place.
He comments in parliament come after MPs raised concerns about the recent string of news piece highlighting the rat problem in various areas of Singapore.
