July 7, 2008
LIVENEWS - Sydney
Farmers in south-west NSW have begun reporting locust hatchings, raising fears of another devastating plague of the pests.
The reported sightings are a cruel blow to landholders also grappling with the dry conditions. June figures show 65 percent of the state is now drought-declared, an increase of two percent on last month.
Primary Industries Minister Ian MacDonald says he hopes this plague isn't as severe as one which destroyed crops three years ago.
"It is serious because there may be a percentage factor of these properties that haven't been reported as such at this point and 900 properties can pose quite a few problems for farmers once the eggs have hatched."
http://livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/07/06/Locust_sightings_raise_fears_of_another_plague