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BASF Director of Specialty & Professional Solutions Jonathan Sweat wants to enter pesticide conversations earlier, helping steer public perception before it becomes public policy.
1. About one-third of U.S. households hire pest management professionals (PMPs). Can we build upon this?
It will take some time, and a concerted effort, but I think we can get to 50 percent or more of U.S. households hiring PMPs by 2030.
2. How do we get there?
We need to continue to educate consumers on our good stewardship and chemistry. Hiring PMPs helps homeowners protect public health, property and the environment.
3. How do we ensure overregulation doesn’t take us in the opposite direction?
We need to drive home our environmental stewardship message at local, state and national levels — through RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) and its members, our professional end users and their customers. We need to enter pesticide conversations earlier, shaping public perception before it becomes public policy.
4. What are the industry’s Top 3 obstacles?
- Not getting into social conversations early enough.
- Not embracing new technologies.
- Not recruiting, retaining and developing proven performers.
5. What are the industry’s Top 3 opportunities?
- Embracing new technologies to improve services and operations.
- Leveraging the industry’s latest proven, safe chemistries.
- Improving customer and employee satisfaction, retention and referral rates.
Editorial Director and Publisher Marty Whitford can be reached at mwhitford@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3766.