The most numerous of the world's invasive species, rodent pests have a devastating impact on agriculture, food, health and the environment. In the last two decades, the science and practice of rodent control has faced new legislation on rodenticides, the pests' increasing resistance to chemical control and the impact on non-target species, bringing a new dimension to this updated 2nd edition and making essential reading for all those involved in rodent pest control, including researchers, conservationists, practitioners and public health specialists.

The objective of this multi-authored compendium is, therefore, to bring together the state of arts reported in one place. Written by specialists by specialists in various fields of rondentology, and to suggest future lines of research. It is also felt that this work on rodent pest management will trigger more research effort for the benefit of mankind and help certain countries and organizations in revitalizing serious work in this field which, it appears, has dampened during the last few years.

This publication presents the proceedings of the Regional Technical Meeting on Seed Policy and Programmes in the Near East and North Africa, held in Larnaca, Cyprus from 27 June to 2 July 1999. The meeting was organised by the Agricultural Research Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus in collaboration with the Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service of the FAO. In line with the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action, the meeting recognised that one of the major challenges facing most countries in the Near East and North Africa is the need to invest significant resources in strengthening their capacity to increase the availability of good quality seeds of a wider range of plant varieties. This will contribute to the maximisation of both agrobiodiversity and productivity, in order to achieve national food security while reducing environmental degradation and the depletion of natural resources. The meeting proposed and agreed to establish a Regional Consultative Forum on Seed Policy and Programmes for the Near East and Africa (CFS-NENA). The forum will facilitate intercountry scientific and technical co-operation on seed production and supply, and promote crop genetic resources evaluation, conservation and utilisation in the region.

FAO Plant Production and Protection Papers Greenhouse crop production is an increasing trend throughout the world, with some 405 000 ha of greenhouses spread across Europe. This publication builds on know-how and experience from the South East European region to serve as a guide for trainers and a technical reference for producers and other stakeholders.