Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said farmers and other landholders needed to remain vigilant about the threat, with initial advice indicating the flooding would not have any significant impact on locust numbers.

“Unfortunately, flooding earlier this year in parts of New South Wales and Queensland did not appear to affect locust eggs – which are typically buried up to 10cm underground,” Mr Helper said.

“So we are still faced with a $2 billion threat to Victoria’s agricultural sector if we let this go untreated.

“I urge farmers in flooded areas to remain on high alert for locust egg beds when the water subsides.”

Mr Helper said the flooding could move some soil to expose egg beds, which could affect hatching times.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Wednesday’s Sunraysia Daily 08/09/2010.