How climate change is fuelling the spread of invasive pests

“Since their domestication approximately 10 000 years ago, crops have been threatened by a multitude of pests that cause yield losses, often leading to starvation and social unrest. On average, between 10% and 28% of crop production worldwide is lost to pests. In addition, each year, plant diseases cost the global economy more than US$220 billion (almost R3 trillion) and invasive insects at least US$70 billion (R950 billion). Post-harvest losses also occur, with the worst of these taking place in developing countries.

Besides losses, the presence of mycotoxins (toxins produced by fungi) in food and feed can severely threaten the health of humans and livestock. There is evidence to suggest that climate change and global warning will facilitate the introduction of unwanted organisms. The key findings of the report,