Sustainable tick and tickborne disease control in livestock improvement in developing countries.

Tick and tickborne disease (TTBD) control is a major component of animal health programmes protecting livestock, thereby enhancing global food security. The present methods for TTBD control are reviewed and an integrated use of the tools is recommended with a broader view of how to link TTBD control to the control of other parasitic diseases. The work of FAO in this field is presented and it is advocated that, although there are still areas that need further investigation, a stage has been reached where robust integrated TTBD control schemes, based on ecological and epidemiological knowledge of ticks and their associated diseases, can be promoted and implemented. Major challenges are the implementation of these policies in the field through the continuation of the present on-going programme in Africa and support to Latin America and Asia. The importance of involving all parties, governments, international and private organisations and the agrochemical industry in developing sustainable, cost-efficient control programmes is stressed and a global strategy is proposed. The main thrust should now be to convince policy makers on the adoption of the strategies and veterinarians and farmers on their implementation.