Signal Up to 40% of food crops lost to pests; diseases cost 220 billion dollars

Summary

The report uses estimates from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to show how much damage plant pests do to global food production and the economy. The FAO estimates that up to 40% of the world's food crops are lost to pests each year, with losses varying by region. Plant diseases cost the global economy 220 billion US dollars. Invasive insects are estimated to cost a further 70 billion US dollars. The report expects pests to push up commodity prices, weighing disproportionately on low-income groups and potentially affecting the job security of 471,000 agricultural workers in the UK. It adds that infestations can erode consumer confidence and reduce demand for crops, affecting the viability of UK producers as well as tourism and forestry.