Will the Honourable Minister please advise this Honourable House as to whether Government would
consider more holistic approaches to managing the rat/rodent pest problem, as well as the large feral
chicken population, through stronger waste management and enhanced controls over those environments
that foster the breeding of pest species?
Rats are addressed by the Vermin Control Team who operate under the Environmental Health section of the
Ministry of Health and not under the Ministry of Public Works and Environment.
Regarding the feral chicken population, the Ministry is evermore adapting to combat the rises. I kindly refer you
to the intended plans as explained in the most recent Ministerial Statement on December 5th, 2025. I have
attached the document for your convenience.
Furthermore, feral chickens (as well as rats) are opportunistic feeders and MPWE does encourage homeowners
to place their garbage within sealed bins to help counteract this food source. Technical officers within the MPWE
continue looking into and updating existing mechanisms to address the public mechanisms which encourage
feral chickens to proliferate.
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