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14 February 2025, Rome – During locust control campaigns, large quantities of pesticides are often used, which can pose risks to human health and the environment. The frequent desert locust outbreaks, particularly across Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Arabic Peninsula, threaten agriculture and food security.
In response, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released an updated version of its desert locust guidelines, focusing on safety and environmental precautions. These updated guidelines are designed to help manage desert locust control operations in a safe and sustainable manner, minimizing potential harm to both people and ecosystems.
The last edition of the guidelines was published over 20 years ago. Since then, there have been significant developments in pest control and environmental safety.
“There was an urgent need to update the desert locust guidelines to integrate new technologies and approaches for reducing pesticide risks. For instance, we advocate for the use of proven biopesticides, such as Metarhizium acridum, which specifically target locusts and grasshoppers while remaining harmless to the environment,” said AlDobai Shoki, Team Leader of the FAO Locusts and Other Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team.
Safety in locust control
This series of guidelines on locust control techniques and campaign organization aims to support and ensure comprehensive, effective pest management. The document provides guidance on continuous monitoring of locust control operations to assess both their immediate and long-term impacts on human health and the environment. Ongoing monitoring allows for real-time adjustments, ensuring that control efforts remain effective and safe.
Countries are encouraged to regularly review and enhance their environmental, health, and safety practices related to desert locust control, with the goal of continuous improvement year after year.
Who should use the guideline?
The guideline is primarily intended for those involved in the organization and execution of desert locust control operations, including decision-makers, field officers, and monitoring staff. It also provides valuable insight for donor representatives who are assessing the technical and financial needs of locust-affected countries. However, much of the guidance provided is also applicable to the control of other locust species.
This series of guidelines should be used alongside preceding volumes - Desert Locust Guidelines on Control (No. 4) and on Campaign organization and execution (No. 5).
Practical recommendations from the guidelines
The guideline advises against involving directly local populations, especially farmers or brigades, in desert locust control operations but instead have well-trained and experienced locust control personnel, since the risk of exposure of non- or little-trained persons to the insecticides is too high.
Additionally, countries are advised to stock less insecticides to minimize the risk of accumulation of obsolete stocks, which are very expensive to dispose of and can contaminate the environment.
The use of Metarhizium acridum, a fungal pathogen which specifically kills locusts and grasshoppers, is highly encouraged to be used in sensitive ecosystems, such as protected areas, and organic agriculture under biological control. Additionally, it can be employed in areas close to water bodies or beekeeping operations.
A local solution
These new guidelines offer a plan for managing locusts safely, balancing the need for pest control with the imperative to protect people and the planet. Through careful planning, monitoring, and the implementation of best practices, governments and organizations can reduce the harmful impact of pesticide use and protect vulnerable ecosystems while ensuring food security for millions. Ends