The Desert Locust component of EMPRES ( Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases ) was initiated in mid 1994. Its purpose was to strengthen the locust management capacity of locust-affected countries with the aim of minimizing the risk that Desert Locust plagues will develop. It was designed as a collaborative programme in which affected countries, regional organizations, donors, and FAO, participate in the development of improved preventive control strategies.

 
 
 
News
National Centre for Locust Control and Research -Saudi Arabia
The Secretary of the Commission, accompanied by the Senior Locust Forecasting Officer, DLIS, visited the National Centre for Locust Control and Research -Saudi Arabia, during the period 13-19 January 2012, to have an overview of the 2011/12 winter campaign, strengthen DL monitoring and early warning system, discuss and advise on the use of new Contingency Planning tool and to support the DL national training programme in Saudi Arabia for 2012.. etc.
Rome
Effective 1st October 2011, Dr. Annie Monard has been appointed Senior Officer (Transboundary Plant Pests) and Team Leader of the Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) group, AGPMM. She replaces Christian Pantenius who retired in August 2011.
Cairo
Effective 1st of November 2011, Mr. Mamoon AlAlawi replaced Dr. Munir Butrous (who retired in April 2011) as the CRC Secretary. His office is at the FAO Regional Near East Office in Cairo.
Egypt
The Secretary of the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region, Mr Munir Gabra Butrous, who was in this post since August 2001, will retire by the end of April 2011.
 
Up Coming Events
FAO HQ- Rome
The Secretary of the Commission will travel to Rome, FAO HQ from 24-26 January 2012 to participate in the FAO Employee Orientation Programme.
FAO HQ - Rome
The Secretary of the Commission will participate in the Workshop on Article XIV staturory bodies to be held on 30 January 2012, FAO HQ, Rome.
Qena, Egypt
The General Department of Locusts and Agro-Aviation Affairs of Egypt- GDLAAA-with the support of the CRC- will conduct a National training course on DL control and survey operations in Qena, during the period 5-11 February 2012. The Secretary of the Commission will technically backstop the training.
Ibri, Dhahera Region, Oman
The Locust Control Centre in Oman, with the support of the CRC, will conduct a National training course on DL survey and Control, during the period 25-29 February 2012, in Ibri, Dhahera Region.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The National Centre for Locust Control and Research in Saudi Arabia, supported by CRC, will conduct a National training course on DL survey and Control, during the period 10 - 21 March 2012, in Jeddah.
EMPRES/WR
The 10th EMPRES Liaison Officers Meeting in the Western Region will be organized in N'Djaména, Chad, from 12 to 16 December 2011.
EMPRES/WR
The 7th EMPRES Steering Committee Meeting to be organized in the Western Region, in N'Djaména, Chad during the period 19-20 December 2011.
 

For information on Locust Emergency Toolkit (eLERT), please visit the website:

http://sites.google.com/site/eLertsite/

 
The eLERT is a dynamic and interactive online database whose main objective is to serve as reference, at both national and international levels, to respond more timely and effectively to the needs in a fast evolving crisis situation. It provides important information on critical aspects such as pesticides registered in the affected countries for locust control, technical specifications of recommended equipment, suppliers, standard contracts for aerial operators and consultants to reinforce the response capacities in the field, contact lists of important partners, rosters of consultants, etc. The eLERT should help people and agencies to act more effectively in coping with locust threats, thus preventing damage to the livelihoods of the rural population." 
 
For information on the current Desert Locust situation, please contact DLIS
 
Desert Locust Glossary