Mycotoxin rules can give UK advantage
New EU limits on mycotoxin contamination of grain mean growers need to pay more attention to fusarium ear blight. But provided they do, the rule changes could make UK grain more attractive to overseas buyers.
Producers in Germany, France and further east face regular mycotoxin problems that could put their crops beyond legally acceptable standards. But even in last year”s soggy harvest the fusarium ear complex of diseases failed to cause significant mycotoxin problems in UK grain.
The new limits for grain destined for human consumption were agreed by the European Commission earlier this month (see Mycotoxin Limits box). As they come into force on July 1, 2006, some of this year’s harvest may need to comply, says Andrew Barnard, operations director for Grainfarmers and new president of European trade association COCERAL.
“Farmers will need to demonstrate due diligence, because poor crop management and storage could affect their marketing,” he warns.
Although DON mycotoxin levels are currently low in UK grain, the fear is that fusarium-susceptible varieties, more maize in the rotation, inoculum carryover from reduced tillage, an unexplained shift in fusarium species to more mycotoxin producers and more favourable weather for infection at flowering time could all push levels higher.
On-farm action can contain the problem, says Mr Barnard, but only if growers take account of the risk factors (see Mycotoxxin Risks box).
Merchants already work to protocols, using composite samples to monitor for mycotoxins by region. If problems are detected that steps up, as in west Norfolk last year.
“Last year helped us gain some good experience,” he says. “Joint testing with HGCA showed a very weak link between pink grain symptoms and mycotoxin loading of the grain.” Not all pink grain producing fusarium species produce mycotoxins and vice versa.
“It showed that we do not have a problem, even in a difficult year. But we do have to remain vigilant and we”re going to have to change some of our practices – the law is the law.”
The need for standards stems from human health fears and animal disorders. Five years ago thousands of tonnes of US grain were condemned due to severe mycotoxin loading.
Overseas buyers already recognise the need to source low mycotoxin grain. “Two years ago there was a mycotoxin problem in European grain, but nobody was so aware of the issue,” says Paulo Cardoso of Portugese miller Moagem Ceres. “Now that awareness is much greater, which could be a real problem for France, Germany and east European producers.
“We will not buy grain if it is not complying with standards for ochratoxin, pesticide residues, heavy metals and now the DON mycotoxin.”
That gives UK wheat a competitive advantage, says Mr Cardoso. Mycotoxins are three million times more carcinogenic than trichloroethylene used in solvents and adhesives, making them a very real issue in food manufacturing, he says.
