23 June 2011
DAFF11/182L
The Gillard Government has welcomed a new tool in the fight against the mouse plague in regions across Australia.
Minister Ludwig said that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has approved a permit to allow an additional zinc phosphide mouse bait product to be supplied for use by farmers.
“This is good news for farmers,” Minister Ludwig said.
“This new product increases the tools available for farmers to combat the mouse plague that has been ravaging grain crops.
“The permit provides farmers with another avenue to obtain baits where established production of existing baits is already at capacity.
“The new permit will provide greater capacity for production of these baits, and I would encourage farmers to use the baits in accordance with the APVMA approved label directions.
“I note considerable industry and community concern about the impact of the plague and ask farmers and industry to work together to combat this continuing problem.”
This brings the number of emergency use permits for fighting mouse plague to eight.
These permits allow the supply and use of zinc phosphide, bromadialone and coumatetralyl bait products.
The new permit will allow use of the baits in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
