Georgia’s National Food Agency says action being taken against Italian locust infestation

The National Food Agency of Georgia on Monday said it had mobilised special equipment and commenced measures to combat an infestation of Italian locusts, a “dangerous” pest that poses a “significant threat” to agricultural crops, in the eastern and central regions of Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti.

The body said 12,000 hectares of land in eastern Georgia had been treated as part of the ongoing efforts to minimise the damage caused by the locusts, adding its professionals were monitoring the spread of the pest and planning necessary control measures based on monitoring results.

Thanks to the consistent efforts of the Agency, the distribution and population of the Italian locust have been successfully regulated and reduced this year”, it added, noting the agency had been implementing the measures annually through the state programme Plant Protection and Phytosanitary Safety to mitigate risks.

The Italian locust is known for its destructive impact on agricultural crops, green cover and plantings.