Hon Paddy Embry asks if the WA government has a plan for dealing with a locust plague. Hon Kim Chance confirms a plan exists and a spraying program is commencing, although adverse weather has reduced the expected severity of the outbreak.

AnsweredQoN 982Legislative Council
Asked
12 November 2004
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

Does the Government, through its agencies, have a plan for dealing with a plague of locusts if the inclement weather dies down and the locusts multiply and travel, as was originally anticipated? The PRESIDENT: This might be appropriate for a ministerial statement next week. Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I can be brief, Mr President, although I am happy to consider that. Yes, the Government does have a well-established plan for dealing with plague locusts. This year we were expecting a low to moderate intensity outbreak in a number of identified areas. For all the wrong reasons, that is not as serious an issue as was first thought, because the very adverse seasonal conditions experienced by the wheatbelt in spring have meant that most of those locusts have died. However, we will be carrying out a locust campaign. The first lot of those locusts is just about on the wing now and, if the spraying program has not started today, it will start early next week. The PRESIDENT: I have noticed that four members did not get the call today. They will get priority at our next question time. Sitting suspended from 1.00 to 2.00 pm
The PRESIDENT: This might be appropriate for a ministerial statement next week. Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I can be brief, Mr President, although I am happy to consider that. Yes, the Government does have a well-established plan for dealing with plague locusts. This year we were expecting a low to moderate intensity outbreak in a number of identified areas. For all the wrong reasons, that is not as serious an issue as was first thought, because the very adverse seasonal conditions experienced by the wheatbelt in spring have meant that most of those locusts have died. However, we will be carrying out a locust campaign. The first lot of those locusts is just about on the wing now and, if the spraying program has not started today, it will start early next week. The PRESIDENT: I have noticed that four members did not get the call today. They will get priority at our next question time. Sitting suspended from 1.00 to 2.00 pm
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I can be brief, Mr President, although I am happy to consider that. Yes, the Government does have a well-established plan for dealing with plague locusts. This year we were expecting a low to moderate intensity outbreak in a number of identified areas. For all the wrong reasons, that is not as serious an issue as was first thought, because the very adverse seasonal conditions experienced by the wheatbelt in spring have meant that most of those locusts have died. However, we will be carrying out a locust campaign. The first lot of those locusts is just about on the wing now and, if the spraying program has not started today, it will start early next week. The PRESIDENT: I have noticed that four members did not get the call today. They will get priority at our next question time. Sitting suspended from 1.00 to 2.00 pm
I can be brief, Mr President, although I am happy to consider that. Yes, the Government does have a well-established plan for dealing with plague locusts. This year we were expecting a low to moderate intensity outbreak in a number of identified areas. For all the wrong reasons, that is not as serious an issue as was first thought, because the very adverse seasonal conditions experienced by the wheatbelt in spring have meant that most of those locusts have died. However, we will be carrying out a locust campaign. The first lot of those locusts is just about on the wing now and, if the spraying program has not started today, it will start early next week. The PRESIDENT: I have noticed that four members did not get the call today. They will get priority at our next question time. Sitting suspended from 1.00 to 2.00 pm
Yes, the Government does have a well-established plan for dealing with plague locusts. This year we were expecting a low to moderate intensity outbreak in a number of identified areas. For all the wrong reasons, that is not as serious an issue as was first thought, because the very adverse seasonal conditions experienced by the wheatbelt in spring have meant that most of those locusts have died. However, we will be carrying out a locust campaign. The first lot of those locusts is just about on the wing now and, if the spraying program has not started today, it will start early next week. The PRESIDENT: I have noticed that four members did not get the call today. They will get priority at our next question time. Sitting suspended from 1.00 to 2.00 pm
The PRESIDENT: I have noticed that four members did not get the call today. They will get priority at our next question time. Sitting suspended from 1.00 to 2.00 pm

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