Agriculture bureau officials have voiced concerns over a locust farm in Conghua, Guangdong Province that contains some 7 million locusts, calling it a threat to the local ecology.

Local authorities have petitioned owner Xie Bozhen to tighten management of the farm, which breeds locusts for consumption.

The 10,000-square meter facility is located in the nearby mountains, where millions of locusts are bred in long, plastic tunnels.

Xie explained his primary markets for export are in southern China and Southeast Asia, where locusts are seen as a nutritious delicacy.

"They can be processed into packaged food. Locusts are high in protein, and I plan to make them into fish food," said Xie.

Xie said he had signed an agreement with officlas that holds him responsible for the locusts.

Nandu Daily