The Day of the Locust

[my miss storm cat]

Eeew!


Friday, September 17, 2010

Locust plague threat to Melbourne Cup

Agence France-Presse

Australia's worst locust plague in 75 years could halt the Melbourne Cup, officials warned yesterday, declaring "war" on the pests which threaten billions of dollars in damage.

Victoria state Premier John Brumby said the plague, which will devour crops and farmland across a vast area of the country, could force the cancellation of the November 2 event, known as the "race that stops a nation".

"This is the biggest plague we have faced in 75 years, it's got the potential to destroy a quarter of our agricultural crop ... it's got the potential to close events like Melbourne Cup Day and country race carnivals," Brumby said.

"We're doing everything we can to get on top of this."

Early hatchings are already being reported from egg beds up to 20 kilometres long, spread across an area of southeastern Australia about the size of Spain.

The Plague Locust Commission said it was expecting a serious widespread infestation in at least three southeastern states in coming months.

Brumby said the plague could cost Victoria's agriculture sector alone A$2 billion (HK$14.56 billion), devastating crops and grazing land.

"This is a war on locusts, I want to be absolutely clear about this," he said.

The 3,200-metre Melbourne Cup is the world's richest handicap race, and was last year won by Irish-bred Australian stayer Shocking. A record A$6 million is on offer at this year's 150th edition.

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/n...s20100917c.asp

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Has any big race ever been cancelled because of this?