Costa Rica Declares Emergency Due to Leaf Rust Outbreak

Costa Rica has allocated some $4 million in emergency funding to help thwart a leaf rust outbreak that is currently expected to destroy approximately 12 percent of the country’s 2013-14 crop.

The Hemileia vastratrix fungus has been threatening other Central American countries, and Costa Rica’s Agriculture Minister Gloria Abraham told Reuters that 11,000 hectares have been “severely affected” by the fungus in her country, with losses expected to be around $15 million. Another 9,400 hectares were described as “moderately” damaged. The emergency funding will largely be used for pesticides to help prevent the spread of the fungus.

For more information: Reuters