NSW: Government battles locust plagues

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2004
NSW: Government battles locust plagues

(EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 AEST APRIL 16)



SYDNEY, April 16 AAP - The NSW government has launched an extensive assault on a plague
of locusts sweeping the state, treating more than 68,000 hectares from the air and on
the ground.

The aerial spraying program, which is successfully killing off the insects, has been
planned to avoid environmentally sensitive areas such as waterways.

Locusts have spread over a broader area in the past fortnight and now affect nearly
three-quarters of NSW, from Coolah in the north, to Merriwa in the east and the Riverina
in the south.

The extent of the damage caused by the locusts is not yet known but the last major
plague cost NSW farmers millions of dollars in crop damage.

Premier Bob Carr said the plague came on top of the worst drought in more than a century.

"The locusts are capable of travelling up to 500km at a time and they have already
destroyed thousands of hectares of young wheat and oat crops," Mr Carr said.

"The latest aerial assault brings the total area treated in NSW to more than 68,000 hectares.

"The efforts are aimed at protecting early sown oats and winter wheat and avoiding
a further outbreak and subsequent crop damage in spring when eggs are hatched."

Mr Carr said extra units for ground control were being sent this week to Dubbo and
Coonamble, while units had already been delivered to hot spots in Narrabri, Mudgee, Forbes
and Coonabarabran.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald urged farmers to remain vigilant and
report egg laying and hatching immediately to local Rural Land Protection Boards and NSW
Agriculture staff.

"It is absolutely critical that landholders maintain accurate records of the location
of egg beds to help prevent a potential disaster later in the year," Mr Macdonald said.

AAP ka/jnb/jlw

KEYWORD: LOCUSTS (EMBARGOED)

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