North-western African anti-locust commission opens meeting in Rabat

The 22nd session of the north-western African commission for the control of locusts opened here Monday a four-day meeting with the participation of the five member countries.

In addition to delegates of the five countries (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and tunisia), the session is attended by the secretary general of the commission and delegates from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Arab Organization for Agriculture Development and other foreign organizations active in the struggle against migrant locusts.

Moroccan minister of the interior, Driss Basri, who opened the meeting, warned against suspending efforts in the lull periods and against the environmental hazards caused by the spraying of anti-locust pesticides.

An FAO delegate said the organization earmarks an annual $ 700,000 to the struggle against locusts.