Farmers in the shires of Jerramungup, Gnowangerup, Lake Grace and Kulin are now eligible to receive assistance for locust control.
Member for Wagin Terry Waldron MLA said the State Government had announced an assistance scheme to support farmers and rural shires to control Australian plague locusts in high-risk areas, this spring.
Mr Waldron said a high level of locust activity was expected this season, across parts of the eastern Wheatbelt and southern agricultural region of the State.
“The State Government will contribute $5 per hectare to eligible landholders across the regions that are anticipated to have highly destructive locust plagues,” he said.
“Landholders seeking to control locusts in pasture, crops or on public amenities, such as ovals, may apply.”
Mr Waldron said it was important that pre-emptive action, such as spraying, was taken to ensure local grain growers were protected.
“I encourage landholders in the shires of Jerramungup, Gnowangerup, Lake Grace and Kulin in the Wagin electorate to consider applying.
As a grain grower in the Katanning region, Nationals WA candidate for Roe Peter Rundle said if landholders applied now before the hot weather hit they could prevent locust plagues from becoming too widespread.
“As a farmer myself, I am aware this is a busy time leading into harvest, although it is important that landholders continue to monitor their properties and protect their crops.”
Other eligible shires include Ravensthorpe, Yilgarn, Westonia, Mukinbudin and Nungarin.
The scheme may be extended to additional shires if they start to experience a high level of locust activity.
Further information on locust activity is available from the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/locusts or by calling 1800 198 231 (freecall).
More details on locust identification, monitoring and control is available at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au, or by contacting 1800 084 881 (freecall).
For media enquiries contact Terry Waldron on 9881 1225 or email terry.waldron@mp.wa.gov.au or Peter Rundle on M: 0418 959 810 or E: peter.rundle@nationalswa.com
