Locust plague 'could reach Perth'
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Locust plague 'could reach Perth'*
November 06, 2006 06:51pm
Article from: AAP
AUSTRALIA - FARMERS say locust swarms could hit Perth within weeks with
the weekend rain providing favourable breeding conditions for the pests.
Western Australia Farmers Federation chief executive officer Doug Parker
said locusts were starting to hatch in the WA wheatbelt – and the
hatching area covered from just below Geraldton, 425km north of Perth
through to Ravensthorpe, 532km south of Perth.
Mr Parker said if the locusts caught the prevailing winds, they could be
blown anywhere, including Perth.
"They can actually move fairly quickly in the prevailing winds," Mr
Parker said.
Suburban lawns and gardens, sporting grounds and vineyards would all be
prime targets for the hungry locusts if they reached WA's capital city,
he said.
However, Mr Parker said it was more likely the pests would make their
presence felt in the winegrowing regions of Frankland and Margaret River.
Mr Parker's prediction comes after the region received falls of between
10mm and 20mm of rain last weekend.
The Department of Agriculture weekly locusts update said the weekend
rainfall could provide favourable conditions for locusts.
"More green feed is available in those areas which will increase the
survival rate of the locusts outside the area of control operations,"
the department said.
Mr Parker called on the state Government to put more money into the
spraying program as the hatchings were "widespread" than originally
predicted.
The department has provided $11 million to battle the locusts.
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance rejected providing extra funding saying
the major swarms were being controlled.
"Those areas around Moora were the ones most likely to affect Perth and
the Swan Valley.