Managing fusarium mycotoxins in cereals. A farming perspective. Ian Backhouse

Transcription

1 Managing fusarium mycotoxins in cereals A farming perspective. Ian Backhouse

2 Managing DON risk at the farm We may control (and reduce) but not eradicate currently regulated fusarium mycotoxins in crops; Farmers must be permitted to apply technology to limit the development of fusarium disease and subsequent mycotoxin formation in field; Extreme weather in 2008 overcame some best practice - climate change will require new tools to limit the presence of mycotoxins; New breeding and crop protection are parts of the solution - in the long run; Better communication of risks should be developed for use with retailers and consumers. Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 2

3 DON contamination in wheat is plurifactorial Factors : from the highest (****) to the lowest (*) of importance Harvest residues*** Cultivar** Fungicides* Clean crop (adjustment of combine harvester) Storage End-uses sowing flowering harvest Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 3

4 France - Agronomic risk assessment grid of DON in wheat Arvalis Previous crop and tillage practice Cereals, rapeseed, flax, pea, fababean, sunflower Beet, patato, soya, others Maize, sorghum (forage maize) Ploughing No ploughing Ploughing No ploughing Ploughing No ploughing Cultivar susceptibility Low Medium High Low Medium High Low Medium High Low Medium High low Medium High Low Medium High 1 1 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a DON Risk level 2b 2b 2b 2a (2a) 2b 3 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 4

5 France - DON level in wheat according to agronomic risk Arvalis Mean DON µg/kg Wheat field surveys N=1817 data 0 1 2a 2b Agronomic risk 80 % > 1250 µg/kg a 2b Agronomic risk Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 5

6 Agronomic risk assessment grid of DON in durum wheat Arvalis Previous crop and tillage practice Cultivar susceptibility DON Risk level Medium a Others Ploughing No ploughing High Very High Medium High Very high a b b b c Maize Sorghum (maize forage) Ploughing No ploughing Medium High Very High Medium High Very High (b) (b) c c (c) (c) d d (d) e (e) f Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 6

7 France: A large dissemination programme Technical meetings, forum, workshops Press, technical documents, leaflets 2 è séminaire Mycotoxines des céréales Maîtriser le risque fusariotoxines PARIS JEUDI 3 AVRIL 2008 SALONS DE L AVEYRON Training sessions Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 7

8 Sweden: Regular up to date risk assessment Technical meetings, forum, workshops Press, technical documents, leaflets Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 8

9 Italy - Farm best practice guidelines COLDIRETTI Validated by the agri Minister, may be dowloaded on the Ministry website, supported with training for farmers and advisers, a new website and regular press coverage Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 9

10 UK: farmers work to a good practice hygiene scheme including DON risk assessment 1 2 Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives

11 Legal v. commercial limits Farmers face a long and fiercely competitive supply chain; The closer you get to the plant, the less homogenous the distribution ; If each link in the chain adds pressure to the legislative limits to satisfy customers, the impact of legislation is magnified at the farm. Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 11

12 Testing wheat for DON Commercial issues remain in the UK: Testing individual truck loads at or before intake remains an issue cost, risk of error is high, disruption and waste. Annual costs for testing bulk stores of milling wheat in the UK estimated at over 2,000,000 (or over 40cents/t). Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 12

13 Managing risk Fusarium mycotoxins like DON are managed, but not eliminated by farmers. Multiple factors known to influence fusarium and DON formation have been applied as a risk assessment process adapted to conditions in each MS. Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 13

14 Managing risk farmers and first processors must be permitted to apply technology to limit the development of fusarium disease and subsequent mycotoxin formation in field. Legislative pressure on existing crop protection products used by farmers to protect against fusarium formation is not perceived as helpful and increases risks in growing crops for human consumption Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 14

15 Managing risk Climate change will require new tools to limit the presence of mycotoxins; Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 15

16 Technology New breeding and crop protection are parts of the solution, but in the long run. Current technology has an impact but more plant breeding and new crop protection products offer potential Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 16

17 Communicating risk Better communication of risks should be developed for use with secondary processors and retailers, explaining inbuilt safety margins and the difficulties with existing analysis techniques Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 17

18 Where we are working Impact of new legislation on EU farmers ability to improve productivity Plant breeding Existing and new crop protection products Research into agronomic practice Encouraging transfer of new knowledge Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 18

19 Farming sector: Build confidence with european consumers Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 19

20 Thank you Copa-Cogeca The voice of European farmers and their cooperatives 20