Source: LM
Context: Two Chinese researchers have been charged in the US for smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a toxic crop-destroying fungus, raising fears of agro-terrorism.
About Fusarium graminearum:
- What is It?
- Fusarium graminearum is a fungal pathogen that causes Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), primarily in wheat, maize, barley, and other cereals.
- Vector Type: It is a fungus and spreads via airborne spores, contaminated seeds, and moist soil.
- Banned/Regulated Under:
- While not universally banned, import and research involving F. graminearum are highly regulated under biosecurity laws in the US and many countries.
- Requires biosafety clearance from agriculture and customs departments.
- Key Features:
- Produces a mycotoxin called vomitoxin (Deoxynivalenol or DON).
- Thrives in warm, humid conditions, spreading rapidly through crops.
- Difficult to eradicate once introduced into a crop ecosystem
- Impact on Food & Economy:
- Causes crop yield loss, grain rot, and contamination, rendering cereals unsafe for consumption.
- Contaminated grain can trigger vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and livestock health issues.
About Agro-Terrorism:
- Definition:
- Agro-terrorism refers to the deliberate use of biological agents (fungi, bacteria, pests, or toxins) to attack a nation’s agriculture sector, aiming to cause economic disruption, food insecurity, and public fear.
- Regulated By:
- In the US: Monitored under USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and FBI biosecurity protocols.
- Globally: Controlled through international phytosanitary regulations and plant quarantine acts of respective nations.
