Locust Could Reinvade Northwest Africa

ROME - Sep 17/04 - SNS -- There is a serious risk locust swarms could reinvade northwest Africa from October onwards, warns the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

"The scale of the locust invasion in northwest Africa is likely to be larger than last spring," said Keith Cressman, FAO locust information officer.

"The extent of the new invasion in the Maghreb countries depends on the success of the ongoing survey and control operations in West Africa, and on the quantity, distribution and frequency of rainfall in the coming months. The success of control operations in West Africa is crucial if we want to reduce the new threat to the Maghreb countries," he added.

It is estimated that around three to four million hectares of land are now infested by locusts in West Africa, with Mauritania being the worst hit country (around 1.6 million ha infested). Nearly 300 000 ha have been treated this summer so far in the region. The rate of control is likely to increase considerably with the expanding aerial spraying capacity.

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