APVMA responds to mouse bait woes

Double-strength mouse bait is still unapproved by the nation’s ag-vet chemical regulator, despite farmers using the more effective control method just last season.

Double-strength mouse bait is still unapproved by the nation’s ag-vet chemical regulator, despite farmers using the more effective control method just last season.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority says to date a 50g/kg ZnP (double-strength) mouse bait has not been approved for ongoing use.

Farmers have expressed growing concern at not being able to access the baits this season despite previously using the unapproved product as an emergency measure last year.

In a statement, the APVMA asserted that it had approved the supply and emergency use of an unregistered 50g/kg ZnP product to control mice in certain crops and pastures under a permit that expired on December 31, 2023.

The holder of the permit, Grain Producers Australia Limited, has since applied for renewal under a minor use application. The APVMA is currently evaluating the submitted information.

Grain Producers Australia’s northern director and Queensland grain producer Brendan Taylor said a grower survey showed the effectiveness of the double-strength (ZP50) mouse bait.

“While the permit renewal application is still being evaluated, no additional product must enter the distribution channel. A person (supplier) must not supply a 50 g/kg zinc phosphide product, and persons with any remaining product in their possession must not use the product without a current permit being in place,” the APVMA said.

Meanwhile, Grain Producers Australia’s northern director and Queensland grain producer Brendan Taylor said a grower survey showed the effectiveness of the double-strength (ZP50) mouse bait that had previously been available.

The survey showed that throughout Australia, 78 per cent of farmers have had crop yields impacted by mice in the past two years.

Of those surveyed, 64 per cent used ZP50 (double-strength) bait under a permit in 2023.

Growers also rated the “double strength” bait as being nine out of 10 in effectiveness.