Mouse plague: NSW calls on Federal Government to help farmers

The Federal Government has been called out for its “disappointing” response so far to the mouse plague infesting NSW by one of the state’s government ministers.

The mouse plague is continuing across NSW — and threatens to spill into other states.

NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall is urging the Federal Government come to farmers’ aid as the mouse plague infesting his state threatens to spread.

It comes after federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment officials told a Senate estimates hearing last week that no national response to the plague was pending, nor had any federal funding been given to combat the pest.

Mr Marshall said it was disappointing to hear, given the “dire situation” and reports of mice activity in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.

“It’s incredibly disappointing to hear the Commonwealth admit they’ve got no national response and throw their hands up as our regions face this problem,” he said.

“I urge the Federal Government to come to the table and help our farmers.”

Mice numbers have been exploding across NSW since March, with reports of smaller numbers in neighbouring states.

Some grain growers catastrophic sorghum crop losses. CSIRO estimated the plague was due to peak by late autumn, in line with winter sowing.

The NSW Government has committed $50 million in financial aid – following pressure from NSW Farmers – including rebates to buy bait of up to $500 for households and $1000 for businesses.

Federal department secretary Andrew Metcalfe had told estimates there was no federal response at this stage, as pest animal control was a state responsibility.

Mr Metcalfe said the Commonwealth’s role was through CSIRO, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s regulation of pesticides, and assisting in reducing freight costs for bringing required bait chemicals from overseas.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary Anne Thomas said while she was aware of “patches of increased mice numbers” in parts of Victoria, this wasn’t as widespread as other states, and Agriculture Victoria was monitoring the situation.

Federal Labor agriculture spokeswoman Julie Collins has called for the mouse plague to be top of the agenda at Wednesday’s ag ministers’ meeting.