Scientists 'incredibly concerned' for fate of banana as plagues and fungus infections spread

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/bananas-under-threat-scientists-incredibly-concerned-for-fate-of-banana-as-plagues-and-fungus-infections-spread-29842835.html

The Belfast Telegraph
Bananas under threat: Scientists 'incredibly concerned' for fate of banana as plagues and fungus infections spread

(excerpt)
The government in Costa Rica, one of the biggest suppliers of the fruit, has already declared a “national emergency” over the state of its crop.
The country’s half-a-billion-dollar banana export industry has been hit by two separate plagues of mealybugs and scale insects, with up to 20 per cent of its produce written off.
Magda Gonzalez, the director of the agriculture ministry’s State Phytosanitary Services (SFE), told The Tico Times last week that climate change had boosted insect populations in recent years, making plagues increasingly likely across the world.
“I can tell you with near certainty that climate change is behind these pests,” she said. The insects weaken plants and cause blemishes on fruit, leading to vast batches being rejected. Ms Gonzalez said there were serious concerns the country would not meet its export agreements....