Agriculture Ministry dismisses reports of beet armyworm outbreak in Manchester

The Agriculture Ministry is seeking to refute reports of  an outbreak of  beet armyworm in Manchester.

Minister without portfolio in the ministry JC Hutchinson says there was a flare-up, which is now under control.

He however pointed out that neglect by some farmers of  their fields led to the growth in the beet armyworm population.

Earlier this month, scores of  farmers in Manchester said they were on the verge of  filing for bankruptcy after the beet army worm pest destroyed their crops.