A new study has warned that climate change could damage global crop productivity and food availability if producers do not start adopting 'climate-smart food systems'.

The review, which was published in Science magazine, says a focus on developing climate-resilient crop varieties and a stronger global supply chain is imperative if the food industry is to successfully feed growing populations, especially within poor areas.

Lead author professor Tim Wheeler of the University of Reading said the current global food system remains vulnerable.He explained: 'The food price spike of 2008 highlights the increasing vulnerability of the global food system to shocks, such as extreme weather and economic volatility. A step change is needed in efforts to create a ‘climate-smart' food system that can better withstand whatever climate throws at us.

'This should include development of drought- and heat-tolerant crops or new tillage techniques that reduce release of carbon from soils, but we need to go further and ensure trade, investment and development policies all have ‘climate-smart’ food as a central goal.'

Another area the report focuses on is the issue of changing weather pattens, with the review suggesting that, over the coming years, more extreme weather conditions will change the patterns of pests and create new crop diseases. Another of the report's authors, Profressor Joachim von Braun, believes changing weather conditions will create a big rise in food prices as production slows.Last summer saw the wettest conditions for British growers in over 100 years.

He warned: 'Human suffering due to climate change impacts on food security is increasing. And the costs of short-term food crises mitigation will grow, if meaningful investments for more resilient food systems are further delayed.'

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