By Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Beijing Huge swarms of locusts have been destroying crops in northern China - a region which is already suffering from its worst drought in more than a decade. Two areas have been struck by the locust plague at once. In north-central China, at least six provinces have been hit by massive infestations, and in the far north-western province of Xinjiang, another huge swarm of insects is rapidly chewing its way through the summer crop. The finger of blame is being pointed at Kazakhstan In the worst affected areas of Xinjiang, local farmers are reporting infestation levels of 4,000 locusts per square metre. According to one local paper, this is the biggest outbreak of locusts in a quarter of a century. Two years of extremely dry weather, which is already wreaking havoc on northern China's farm land, is also being blamed for this latest problem. Cash-strapped Locusts apparently thrive during droughts. Meanwhile, neighbouring Kazakhstan is being blamed for the problem in far west Xinjiang. The central Asian republic was hit by its own plague of locusts last year. Strapped for cash, Kazakhstan was unable to pay for the aerial spraying needed to destroy the insects. The Chinese claim that eggs laid there last year have now hatched, and the insects moved into China. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html <A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
