The NSW government has stepped up the war on mice as the mouse plague shows no sign of diminishing.

Farmers and householders, grain storages, domestic and business infrastructure are suffering serious economic damage from the plague.

The cost of control is high, running into many thousands of dollars for farmers with no end in sight.

Last week the NSW government announced a $50 million package to offer farmers, households and small businesses help.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said free baiting, through free-of-charge grain treatment, would be made available to primary producers, while affected rural and town households and small businesses would be able to apply for rebates to help them meet the cost of buying mouse baits.

“The NSW government will establish grain treatment facilities at specified locations across rural and regional NSW for farmers to have their grain treated free of charge and we will provide rebates to small businesses and households through Service NSW to help meet the cost of buying bait.

Households will be able to apply for rebates of up to $500 and small businesses will be eligible to claim up to $1000 through Service NSW.

Mr Marshall said farmers would be able to have their grain treated free of charge to protect their crops from vermin.

“Today’s announcement of free baits to treat grain almost completely removes the cost burden on our farmers and croppers and complements our popular workshops to arm farmers with the tools needed to build a mice-free fortress to protect their paddocks,” Mr Marshall said.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries will also launch an unprecendented body of research to identify and potentially develop future tools to combat mice plagues, including biological controls.

Fast facts:

  • $500 rebates for eligible households.
  • $1000 rebates for eligible small businesses.
  • Free mice bait (grain treatment) for farmers.
  • The NSW government has sought urgent approval for the use of bromadiolone in NSW.
  • Expanded workshops to educate farmers on the best eradication strategies.
  • A research project to identify and potentially develop a new mice-killing agent.

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