All communities of Maroneia–Sapes declared locust-affected by Regional Governor

All municipal communities of the Municipality of Maroneia–Sapes in the Rodopi region have officially been declared locust-affected areas for 2025. The decision was issued by the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Christodoulos Topsidis, following the discovery of significant locust infestations in uncultivated rural areas.

The declaration is based on findings from the Department of Phytosanitary and Quality Control under the Regional Directorate of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Services, which reported a large number of locust nymph clusters throughout the area.

The official statement highlights that the decision was informed by both current observations and previous years’ damage caused by locust swarms in 2021 through 2024, which had severely impacted local agriculture and livestock farming.

In response, local locust control committees have been formed. Their mission is to implement immediate detection and eradication efforts to prevent further damage to crops, following guidelines from the regional agricultural authority.

Farmers, livestock breeders, and forestry personnel are urged to promptly report locust sightings to the Rodopi Directorate of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Services by calling 25313-50420 / 408 / 439, to facilitate rapid response actions.

Deputy Regional Governor of Rodopi, Manolis Tapatzas, emphasized in a statement:

“Our priority is the protection of crops and producers’ incomes. With proper monitoring, awareness, and strict adherence to official guidelines, we can prevent major damage. The Region’s services remain alert and stand with our farmers and herders. I urge everyone to stay vigilant and cooperate with the relevant authorities.”