SUSTAINABLE HELMINTH CONTROL OF RUMINANTS IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

Widespread anthelmintic resistance, at least amongst the important nem atode parasites of small ruminants, threatens the sustainability of th ese livestock industries throughout both the developed and developing world. The exacerbation of this problem over the last decade or so, ha s provided the impetus for research into non-chemotherapeutic parasite control alternatives, such as host genetic resistance, grazing manage ment, worm Vaccines and biological control. Although some of these opt ions provide practical benefits if currently adopted, or exciting pros pects for the future, collectively they are unlikely to dispense with the need for the timely intervention of effective anthelmintic treatme nt. The issue of sustainability of helminth control practices therefor e rests with the preservation of anthelmintic effectiveness through th e implementation of principles of integrated pest management. Herein l ies the difficulty-putting the principles into practice. Much of the r esearch into sustainable nematode parasite control of ruminants has be en done in the developed rather than the developing world, and the eff orts to transfer this information to livestock owners has also been co mmensurately greater in the former. However the need for research and technology transfer is much more urgent in the developing world becaus e of the lack of scientific and financial resources, the greater depen dence on livestock industries and the much greater severity of the pro blem of anthelmintic resistance. This will require a major philosophic al change in the affluent western world to the funding of national and international aid organisations who are largely responsible for these activities. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.