Back to Main $1.2million To Prepare For Locust Plague

• Published: 2009-09-11 14:32:58

  With all signs pointing towards a locust plague this spring, Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today announced additional funding of $1.2million to help control potential swarms in Western Australia’s grain growing regions.

   

  Mr Redman said it was important to be prepared as locust plagues cause extensive damage to grain and horticulture crops, orchards, vineyards, sporting grounds and gardens.

   

  “Locust plagues are a community menace and cause great social and economic disruption. They cause havoc on the roads and interfere with school sports days, community events and tourism ventures,” he said.

   

  “Recent surveys are showing that more than 15 shires in the State’s grainbelt and along the south coast are at risk from significant locust hatchings in spring.

   

  “Communities from Wongan Hills in the north to Kondinin in the east and Esperance and Gnowangerup in the south are likely to be impacted by any outbreak.

   

  “The department will conduct a communications campaign with farmers, agribusiness and local government to ensure they have the latest data to help them make decisions about how they will control locusts on their properties.

   

  “The department has assembled a Locust Response Team and will conduct a spraying program in the areas at risk of developing damaging swarms.

   

  “Landholders can also expect locusts across the south-west land division and need to prepare to manage the potential damage on their own property. This reminds us that biosecurity is everyone’s business.

   

  “There have been five locust outbreaks in the past 10 years. Locust eggs will hatch from mid September through to October and by November the adults will be flying. Once they are in the swarming stage, locusts can move hundreds of kilometres a night, so it’s important to jump on the issue early.”

   

  The State Government funds are in addition to $1.4million already contributed through the Department of Agriculture and Food’s locust response program.

   

  A map of anticipated locust hatchings is available on the department’s website at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/. Conduct a site search for locust map.

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  Supplied by Department Of Agriculture And Food WA