NSW mouse plague: Crop damage likely to top one billion, experts warn

Farmers, afraid that rodent will eat through more than a billion dollars worth of NSW crops, have blasted the NSW government.

Industry experts estimate the mouse plague will chew through more than a billion dollars worth of the farmgate value — the produce purchased directly from the farm — this winter.

NSW Farmers’ vice president Xavier Martin blasted the NSW government’s current assistance package, labelling it “impractical, dysfunctional and weeks away”.

“Farmers are abandoning some paddocks and cannot hold off winter crop sowing a moment longer and researchers warn that without a concerted baiting effort in the next few weeks this could easily turn into a two-year plague event,” Mr Martin said.

Thousands of mice are being killed each week.

“After more than eight months of battling growing mouse numbers, farmers are still waiting for state government assistance to hit the ground and offer some practical support to our farming community.”

“The state government’s assistance package is impractical, dysfunctional and weeks away, which is not helping farmers who need support right now to drive mouse numbers down and break this horrible unrelenting cycle.”

“NSW Farmers has consistently said the simplest, safest and most timely way for the state government to assist farmers would be through providing rebates of up to $25,000 per farm business to cover 50 per cent of the cost of zinc phosphide bait.”

Their demands come soon after The Daily Telegraph revealed a home was destroyed from a fire caused by mice.

The rodents are also expected to swarm towards Sydney.

The mouse outbreak has hit grain crops throughout much of regional Australia, this year from the Darling Downs of Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria. Picture: Trent Perrett

Under the current $50 million support package, farmers can have their grain treated to prevent the animals from eating it.

Households and small businesses can also apply for rebates for mouse bait. They will be able to claim $500 and $1,000 respectively.

However Mr Martin said the current model is not working.

“This mouse plague will be a significant financial hit to the NSW economy, as it is not just about the grain crop and food production, but also all the regional businesses, traders and employees that rely on the farming sector,” he said.

“The NSW grains industry alone employs more than 10,000 people in regional areas.

“Each day we delay in taking effective action to control these mice will increase economic losses and the likelihood we will still be battling mice come Christmas time.”

Originally published as NSW mouse plague: Crop damage likely to top one billion, experts warn