Desert Locust Situation Serious

ROME - Mar 23/04 - SNS -- The desert locust situation in northern Africa is now expected to reach serious levels this year, with a massive upsurge possible, warns the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Locust Group.

In Morocco, intensive aerial and ground control operations, treating up to 20,000 ha per day, are in progress against swarms that are laying eggs in the spring breeding areas in the Draa Valley on the southern side of the Atlas Mountains. It is likely that similar infestations extend into western Algeria, near the Moroccan border.

In the next few weeks, more swarms are expected to arrive in Morocco and Algeria from northern Mauritania and the Western Sahara.

In Mauritania, widespread hatching and band formation continue in the north near the borders of Morocco and the Western Sahara. Adults are forming swarms in parts of the north and northwest where vegetation is drying out, and some of these swarms have been seen moving northwards.

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