UAE fully prepared to fight desert locust infestation
abu dhabi — The UAE is ‘fully prepared’ to combat desert locust infestation if they happen to enter the country, authorities have assured.
The Abu Dhabi Food Safety contended that it was ready to control the spread of the insects and avoid potential economic damage to the local agriculture sector.
Earlier this month, a top UN humanitarian official reported that Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia were being invaded by massive swarms of desert locusts — the worst infestations in decades.
Swarms also crossed into Uganda overnight, while Tanzania and South Sudan were placed “on the watch list”.
Last month, reports from Najram in Saudi Arabia indicated that the city was infested by millions of locusts, with similar infestations expected to continue over the next few months. Videos and pictures shared from the city showed thousands of locusts clinging onto trees and darkening the city’s skies.
Report right away
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have called on farm owners to immediately report any sighting of desert locusts. They are also urged to refrain from burning farm wastes or creating huge smoke so as to prevent the spread of the insects.
Officials have reminded members of the community to avoid collecting or eating the locusts that can pose health hazards.
Locusts are the swarming phase of short-horned grasshoppers of the family Acridities.
If they invade the environment and agriculture, authorities usually fumigate farms and streets in an attempt to reduce its spread and prevent potential harm to crops and other green areas.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment earlier warned that the locust infestation in their country could last for at least two more months. The kingdom start
ed to see the outbreak of locusts earlier in January, after good rains in the region caused the insects to move from Eritrea and Sudan along the Red Sea into Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi pointed out that in the winter season, certain areas of the UAE are prone to desert locust swarms due to their migration here from coastal areas of neighbouring
countries. The UAE is a prime breeding ground for the species given its climate and environmental condition during this time of the year.