Use and distribution of organochlorine pesticides. The future in Africa

Pesticides have been used in the continent for about eight decades. Major u se has been in agriculture, livestock development, and disease vectors cont rol. Recent international conventions have been made with little scientific data and information on the tropical situation. Rapid development of resis tance to pesticides demands better scientific understanding of pest managem ent. Tropical research data on organochlorine pesticides show rapid degrada tion pattern, low residue levels, and widespread distribution. Given the ab ove, there is a need to factor into consideration tropical climatological c alamities in any future pesticide policy. Continued use of pesticides is an ticipated in the tropics.