Enforcement is often weak and national legislation can be inconsistent, thereby providing an incentive for black market traders. In addition to highlighting the problems facing developing countries, the workshops pointed the way to a number of solutions. In many cases, establishing coordinating committees involving various ministries and NGOs will be a vital starting point. National profiles need to be developed to provide an overview of how chemicals are manufactured, used, and disposed in each country. A particularly important next step is the collection of information on available replacements for POPs, particularly DDT, which is still widely used for malaria control.
Alternatives can be either other chemicals or the use of non-chemical techniques.
Experiences with alternatives needs to be better reported so that they can be replicated in other countries. The workshops took place in advance of the first round of talks on an international agreement to minimize and eliminate emissions and releases of POPs. Scientific criteria will be developed for identifying other POPs that may be added to the list later. A global POPs treaty is expected to be adopted in the year 2000.