Food Safety Service calls war and ecocide cause of locust invasion in Ukraine

Russia's war against Ukraine was called the most significant factor in the locust outbreak in Ukrainian regions. This was reported by the Deputy Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Vadym Chaikovskyi for RBC-Ukraine.

Thus, commenting on the locust outbreak in Ukraine, he stated that is occurs annually - like this year and last year, but now, due to the war and its environmental consequences, favorable conditions have been created for the locust invasion.

"The war led to the neglect of lands near the contact line, as well as to environmental consequences, in particular, the destruction of the Kakhovka HEPP. This is what created favorable conditions for the reproduction of locusts. The locust invasion is one of the consequences of the ecocide directed by russia against Ukraine and, in fact, against the whole world. We draw your attention to the fact that in 2022-2025, locust outbreaks were recorded precisely in the regions of hostilities," Chaikovskyi said.

He also said that the natural enemies of locusts are birds, but they are almost absent near the line of hostilities due to explosions and shelling, which forces them to leave these territories. Locusts are not afraid of shelling, actively multiply and spread across the regions.

"Unfortunately, while the war is ongoing, we cannot completely get rid of the threat of repeated locust outbreaks," the specialist said.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, foci of migratory and Egyptian locusts have been recorded in southern Ukraine. The most difficult situation is in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Regions, where a special plant protection regime is already in effect.

Locusts are attacking Zaporizhzhia and the region, leaving behind bare trees. In the centers of mass reproduction of locusts, chemical treatment of agricultural lands will be carried out.

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