World wheat production threatened by fungus
OTTAWA — Scientists in Canada and around the world are racing to find a way to stop a destructive fungus that threatens to wipe out 80% of the world’s wheat crop, causing widespread famine and pushing the cost of such staples as bread and pasta through the roof.
Canadian officials say that the airborne fungus, known as Ug99, has so far proved unstoppable, making its way out of eastern Africa and into the Middle East and Central Asia. It is now threatening areas that account for more than one-third of the world’s wheat production and scientists in North America say it’s only a matter of time before the pest hits the breadbasket regions of North America, Russia and China.
“I think it’s important people start recognizing what a big threat this is. This could mean world famine. This is quite the deal,” said Rob Graf, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s research centre in Lethbridge, Alta.
The United Nations calls Ug99 “a major threat” to the world’s food security.
“Anything that one part of the world gets, another part of the world will eventually get,” said Doug Robertson, president of The Grain Growers of Canada. “Stem rust can be a really devastating disease.”
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UV Says:
Seems like the big threat in Western Canada is the drought.
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 10:27 am
fernstalbert Says:
Is this because the wheat is not genetically diverse? Something like cloned bananas?
Posted on June 28th, 2009 at 9:01 am