How climate change impacts grain protection in Europe

Why is addressing climate change key for grain protection?

D.L.: “Climate change and crop stress caused by extreme temperatures, humidity and variations in CO2 levels inevitably affect crop yield, weight and nutritional quality. It also creates challenges for farmers by disrupting agricultural cycles and making harvest forecasting more difficult.

With concerns about food self-sufficiency and increasing international interdependence, diversification of supply sources is imperative. This year, for example, top producers such as France are expecting a 40-50% drop in production, necessitating grain imports.

Expanding arable land indefinitely is not a sustainable solution, and shifting crops northwards only moves the problem. With population growth exacerbating the situation, ensuring food security remains a major challenge.

Two strategies are key to meeting this challenge effectively. The first is to improve crop yields and protect crops where possible, including through the development of more resilient crop varieties. The second is to ensure long-term storage of crops to minimise post-harvest losses, which currently average 33% of annual harvests.

Controlling stored grain pests is critical to meeting the agricultural challenges posed by climate change. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, pests destroy 20% of global food production each year. Under climatic stress, crops are even more vulnerable to pest infestations, and this grain ends up in silos.”

How does climate change affect pests?

D.L.: “The effects of climate change on insects are complex, favouring some insects and inhibiting others, affecting their distribution, diversity, abundance, development, growth and phenology. However, it is expected that there will be a widespread increase in the number of pest outbreaks involving a greater variety of pests.

In addition to accelerated biological cycles, prolonged favourable conditions have led to longer pest seasons. Previously, some insects were found only six times a year, but now they can survive in crops for around eight to nine months, resulting in more insect generations each year. As a result of these changes, insects are exposed to compounds more slowly and more frequently, increasing the risk of insecticide resistance.

Geographical expansion, especially northwards, will also lead to the spread of new and more aggressive species, often arriving without natural predators. The constant international movement of people and goods will only exacerbate the problem.”

How can stakeholders in the sector help to anticipate and manage the impact of climate change on pests?

D.L.: “The agricultural sector as a whole needs to prioritise innovation; there is still a lot that can be done.

For example, technological innovation can improve the weatherproofing of grain silos with more efficient cooling systems and more durable materials.

In addition, optimising inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and irrigation methods can significantly increase grain yields. Research into new chemical, natural or mixed components is crucial in this regard, as it can help reduce reliance on chemicals such as deltamethrin or permethrin. Rotation of modes of action can help reduce the risk of resistance and maintain the efficiency of the products used.

Continued investment and training in IPM is imperative to provide the professional skills and equipment to carry out essential steps such as cleaning, handling and monitoring. 

In the recent past, we relied solely on visual inspection to detect insects, but now we have more advanced and sophisticated tools such as acoustic sensors. To adapt to the challenges of climate change and increase productivity, the use of digital sensors, real-time data analysis and modern agricultural technology is essential.

We will continue to focus on this important work. While the overall framework will always be the same, the key to progress is to continually develop and improve our tools.”