FINDING ALTERNATIVES TO
PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)
FOR TERMITE MANAGEMENT
Prepared by members of the UNEP/FAO/Global IPM Facility Expert Group on Termite Biology and Management
- established in 2000 to support international activities on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) covered by the Stockholm Convention

 Chapter 1>>

INTRODUCTION:

Of the 12 chemicals identified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and addressed in the Stockholm Convention, nine are pesticides, and of these, six are currently, or have in the past, been used to control termites (aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, and mirex). Three of these substances, namely chlordane, heptachlor and mirex, are the subjects of specific exemptions requested for termite control during the negotiations of the convention.

At least fourteen countries indicated during the negotiations of the Convention that they still rely on the use of POPs pesticides for termite control. Elimination of these substances is the ultimate goal of the Convention, and implementation of the provisions of the treaty will require successful transition to non-POPs alternatives for termite control.  Those countries that request specific exemptions for these products for termite control will have to eliminate these uses within five years after the Convention enters into force. This deadline can only be extended through a decision by the Conference of Parties.

This document, provided in the form of web-pages, is intended to serve as a resource to assist countries as they make the transition to non-POPs termite control.  It has been produced by members of the UNEP/FAO/Global IPM Facility Expert Group on Termite Biology and Management that was established in 2000 to provide guidance on alternative approaches to POPs for termite management.