The Stockholm Convention (SC) is a global treaty to protect human health and the Environment from DDT and eleven other persistent organic pollutants (POPs). For intentionally produced POPs, the ultimate goal is to eliminate their production and use (see Article 3). For unintentionally produced POPs, such as dioxins and furans, the goal is to eliminate releases from processes where they are produced - an important issue when it comes to disposal of obsolete stocks and waste of organochlorine pesticides such as DDT. The SC was adopted in Stockholm on 22 May 2001 and entered into force on 17 May 2004. As of June 2006, the Convention was signed by 151 countries, has 125 ratifications (Parties) and was endorsed by most environmental groups. This convention recognizes the need for production and use of DDT (Annex B Part I) for disease vector control (DVC).