Worldwide recognition of ticks and subsequent control experiences in USA, Australia and Africa is summarized. The symposium lecture includes three research challenges: (a) reduce the direct and indirect costs of ticks to African animal agriculture, (b) complete critical research required for an effective African tick control programme in spite of stable or reduced research funding, (c) learn to package and market new technology used in control schemes. Three questions are suggested for industry representatives and researchers to ask one another: (a) Is the new technology practical and affordable? (b) Is animal productivity really improved? (c) Are the schemes responsive to broader environmental and animal health concerns of society?
