Premier Kristina Keneally announced the package at last week’s NSW Farmers’ Association annual meeting.

“Our farmers have fought through a long drought and a winter deluge – and we are now stepping in to help them protect their crops,” Ms Keneally said.

The package ensures there will be enough insecticide on hand and on order to treat more than half a million hectares against locusts, with 40 aircraft on stand-by come spring, more than 100 field staff and experts mapping locust and egg bed locations to identify ahead of the hatchings where the worst areas will be.

“A number of regional control operations centres will be established in locust hot spots, especially in central and southern NSW as the need is identified,” Ms Keneally said.

“But conquering locusts is a team effort – that means farmers and land managers are on the frontline for the NSW locust campaign.

“It is important that farmers be vigilant, reporting locusts, obtaining insecticide from their LHPA and treating banding locusts on their properties.”