Original story

NetWeb Europe 22.9.2014

Rogue fungicide threatens European vineyards

The rogue anti-mildew bacteria developed by World Biochemicals is spreading like wildfire across Central Europe. It is currently threatening vineyards in the Alsace, Mosel, Rheingau and Rheinhessen regions, but EU oenology experts fear this is only the overture to destruction on a far greater scale.

The bacteria was developed initially by the huge Swiss-based consortium to remove the problem of damp-related mildew in old buildings. The GE programming limited the bacteria’s focus to two strains of mildew. In laboratory trials and during the first phase of in situ applications last winter the bacteria behaved as expected and results in Switzerland were impressive, pushing WB’s shares to new highs in London and Frankfurt. However, this summer, perhaps as a result of record temperatures in Central Europe, the bacteria began to develop an appetite for other forms of fungus. It is currently spreading northward into French and German vineyards and eating the yeast genus known as Saccharomyces ellipsoideus which lives on the skin of the grape and is essential to the conversion of sugar to ethyl alcohol in the winemaking process. The first indications of similar destruction among indigenous grape varieties - Mavrud and Gamza - in the wine-growing regions of Bulgaria have also been reported.

Global foodstuffs production at risk?

In view of the seriousness of the situation, the EU has banned all cross-border transport of grapes, vine plants, and wines. Many Union biotech specialists are nevertheless sceptical about the value of such measures, and forecast that the spread of the fungicide will spell the end of viniculture in Europe, and in time, across the entire planet.

Lois Germain-Yquem, Director-General of the EU’s Biotechnology Research Unit, stated to reporters that the bacteria showed no signs of stabilizing, but that further mutations were possible. If this should happen, the risk could extend for example to mycelia of various kinds present in the soil, which are vital to maintaining soil fertility, or even to laboratories manufacturing antibiotics. It has also been suggested that yeasts for baking and brewing will be targeted, and European cheese producers are anxiously awaiting confirmation of tests carried out on surface or injected moulds used in such household names as Stilton, Port Salut, or Gorgonzola. Director-General Germain-Yquem said that these are only the first dangers that will have to be faced. He noted that to a very great extent, all life on earth is dependent upon moulds and fungi.

Security measures “merely a band-aid on a severed artery”

The problems that have emerged from the runaway bacteria have led to angry attacks on the EU Gene Control Authority and the European Commission, who granted permission for the anti-mildew bacteria to be applied in building maintenance and retrofit work. Both bodies gave assurances that the genetic programming on the bacteria had been tested and found safe. They refused to listen to arguments from independent experts who opposed the use of genetically engineered bacteria on the grounds that bacteria were known to be able to alter shape through so-called “fertility genes” within plasmids in the DNA. The United States and certain Asian countries have already drafted tight security precautions. For example, travellers arriving in these countries are subjected to complete bacterial screening of themselves and their luggage. Passengers are disinfected with a liquid solution in large showers hastily erected at ports, airports and major frontier crossings, and clothing and luggage is irradiated. Similar radiation procedures are in effect on mail and parcels deliveries. According to Thomas da Silva, Foreign Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka, these measures are no more than a futile holding action, since winds and wild animals will sooner or later carry the bacteria from one country to another.

Toteuma-arvio 2026

Toteuma lyhyesti

  • Ilmiön toteuma: 2/5
  • Toteuma viiden vuoden tarkkuudella: ei; arviointi-ikkuna on 2009–2019
  • Toteuma väljemmällä aikahorisontilla: vain riskinä ja rajattuina tapauksina
  • Ilmiön ydin: ympäristöön vapautettu biologinen torjuntaorganismi muuttuu tai leviää hallitsemattomasti ja vahingoittaa viljelykasveja.

Biologisten torjunta-aineiden vieraslaji-, geeninsiirto- ja ekosysteemiriskit ovat todellisia sääntelykysymyksiä, ja torjuntaeliöillä on ollut ei-toivottuja vaikutuksia. Kuvattua Euroopan viinitarhat tuhoavaa muuntunutta bakteeria ei ole syntynyt.

Johtopäätös: ennuste tavoitti biosääntelyn riskin, mutta ydinilmiö jäi toteutumatta.