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NEWS RELEASE

GENEVA, 1 February 2000 -- Experts from all major regions of the globe affected by termite problems are meeting 1-3 February in Geneva to recommend strategies for controlling termites in agriculture and construction that rely less on pesticides that are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) or eliminate their use altogether. The goal is to identify sustainable strategies that safeguard public health and the environment.

Co-sponsoring the workshop are the Chemicals Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Plant Protection Service of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, and the Global Integrated Pest Management Facility.

"Countries need effective and environmentally sound strategies for dealing with termites, and this workshop will help establish a baseline for moving away from old approaches that compromise our children’s future," said UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer. "The resulting recommendations and related activities will help ensure that these dangerous pesticides are not simply replaced by other toxic chemicals. We need integrated, sustainable approaches that draw on the full range of non-chemical options."

POPs persist for long periods and accumulate in fatty tissue, becoming more concentrated higher in the food chain and with time. They can be transported long distances, through such routes as waterways and wildlife. Research links them to serious health and environmental risks, which can be conveyed to the next generation in the womb and in breastmilk.

Governments are negotiating an international legally binding treaty to reduce and/or eliminate persistent organic pollutants, in response to the mandate from the UNEP Governing Council in 1997. The fourth of the five negotiating sessions expected is scheduled to take place in Bonn 20-25 March.

Five of the 12 POPs listed in the mandate are used against termites -- aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor, and mirex. During the third session of the negotiations, a few delegations expressed the possible need for continued use of all of these POPs, except aldrin.

The February workshop will assess the present situation of termite biology and control worldwide and develop recommendations on approaches and future activities for termite management that allow reduction and elimination of these POPs pesticides.

Topics will include: termite evolution; the meaning of the concept of biological species for termites; ecological and behavioral characteristics of termite colonies; natural ecology and biology of termites; termites as agricultural pests; termite contribution to atmospheric gases and soil; and termites as structural pests.

Organization of the workshop comes in response to the UNEP Governing Council mandate to undertake immediate actions against POPs in advance of the treaty. Other activities include the development by UNEP, FAO, and the World Health Organization of a joint Guidance Document on Replacing POPs Pesticides and Alternative Approaches, which is approaching completion. Work is also underway to develop training modules for decision making on reduction and elimination of POPs.

Note to journalists: Additional data and documents are available via the Internet (www.chem.unep.ch/pops). For followup or to arrange interviews, please contact: James B. Willis, Director, UNEP Chemicals at tel: (+41 22) 917 8183; fax (+41 22) 797 34 60; e-mail: chemicals@unep.ch; or Linda Durkee, Policy and Communications Advisor, UNEP Chemicals, tel: (+41 22) 917 85 11; e-mail: ldurkee @unep.ch

UNEP Information Note 2000/4