Signal Virus yellows cut up to 25% of the UK sugar beet yield in 2020

Summary

The report cites virus yellows in sugar beet as evidence that native pests can also cause heavy losses to UK crops. Native pests such as the peach potato aphid can carry the pathogen that causes virus yellows. The disease wiped out up to a quarter of the UK's national sugar beet yield in 2020. Sugar beet is one of the UK's top five crops by production volume, and the report explains that the yields of these crops are vulnerable to pests. It also expects pests to raise commodity prices, weighing most on low-income groups, and sees pest prevention as improving crop quality and harvest value while supporting food security and biodiversity.