Well this might be a bit of problem for a world economic recovery. Prices spiraling out of control and folks starving to death due to under supply caused by a fungus that is sweeping the world. Weeee…next up the government gets involved to “FIX” the problem with price controls to REALLY screw up the supply.
Fungus threat hangs over world wheat production
Brown spores on wheat head showing the effects of the deadly fungus that caused the new strain of stem rust dieases that is decimating wheat plantations in eastern Africa, as seen in a file picture.
Photograph by: AFP, Getty Images
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 per cent 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." Fungus threat hangs over world wheat production
And any due diligence regarding our food supply should stop over at Market Skeptics, this story specifically.
*****Catastrophic Fall in 2009 Global Food Production*****
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