Among the various mycotoxins affecting man, OTA -- involved in the renal disease endemic in the Balkans -- is thought by the International Cancer Research Centre (ICRC) to be a potential carcinogen. The question facing the international ochratoxin-A specialists was whether endemic renal disease in the Balkans was still restricted to this geographical region. A careful study of human ochratoxicosis and other possibly associated pathologies in under-developed countries could enable future developments of the problems to be forecast in other parts of the globe and hence allow means of preventive action to be sought.