Firms in the oil extraction from send industry could see a decline in rapeseed stocks if a dangerous pest makes it to UK shores.
The Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) has reported that some peach-potato aphids in southern France and northern Spain have developed high levels of resistance to common insecticides, Bloomberg reports.
Now the organisation fears that the aphids could be blown to the UK with current prevailing winds coming from the south.
"The peach potato aphid is an important pest of oilseed rape. If resistance develops in UK populations, control will be severely affected," added the HGCA.
France's aphid problem is another blow to one of Europe's largest oilseed rape producers. The country is already expecting reduced production due to drought conditions in the last two months.
A new report from Oil World has predicted that rapeseed stocks could reach "alarming levels", as the European Union faces up to increased demand and reduced production levels.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the oil extraction from seed industry includes:
