Rebates of up to $10,000 are available from today for eligible farmers in the region to assist with the purchase of zinc phosphide mouse bait as part of the NSW Government’s $150 million mice support package.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said many farmers are preparing to fight a spring surge in mouse numbers following a winter lull.
“The whole of the central west felt the effects of the mouse plague over summer and autumn and thankfully we’ve had some reprieve as they settled down over winter,” he said.
“Given the numbers we saw, the experts are predicting quite a high survival rate for mice over the winter, which means they’ll build back from a relatively high population base and that could mean big numbers again as we approach the winter crop harvest.
“The rebates now available through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority will assist eligible primary producers lay down defences against that spring surge by covering 50 per cent of the cost of purchasing zinc phosphide baits, up to $10,000.
“These rodents pose a serious threat to the upcoming harvest so we want to ensure our farmers have the support they need to bait their paddock and protect their crop.
Mr Saunders said zinc phosphide baits were the best option available for farmers to control mice in crops.
“I would encourage farmers to start monitoring mice numbers on their farms right now and start planning how they will manage the impacts as the population increases as we approach harvest,” he said.
For more information about the zinc phosphide rebate program visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
For information about household and small business rebates visit www.nsw.gov.au/mice.