WIN FOR GRAIN PRODUCERS IN MOUSE PLAGUE FIGHT

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has secured a national ZP50 emergency permit allowing grain producers to access stronger mouse bait as significant mouse numbers plague several states. 

Australian grain producers have been desperately calling for permits to access stronger mouse bait to tackle the growing problem, with the standard available bait proving inadequate. 

Today the regulator - the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) - has approved GPA’s emergency permit application for access to 50g/kg zinc phosphide (ZP50) mouse bait. 

This emergency permit is held by GPA, on behalf of the grains industry, in its role representing industry to ensure a nationally coordinated approach to crop-protection advocacy, stewardship and reporting. HERE 

“While grain producers have had ongoing access to 25g/kg zinc phosphide (ZP25) mouse bait, it’s not strong enough to tackle the level of mice issues that we’re seeing at the moment, so we are incredibly grateful for this permit,” GPA Research Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said. 

Mr Weidemann added that “mouse plagues can obviously cause massive crop and financial losses in the absence of adequate management tools, as well as significant psychological stress for farmers, their families and those living in affected areas”.    

“This is a time-sensitive issue and GPA have been dedicated to working with the APVMA to establish practical permit conditions that balance access to stronger pesticides with safety, environmental and trade considerations,” he said. 

The terms of the permit allow for a flexible approach to ZP50 access based on moderate or high levels of mouse activity identified through a national rapid assessment monitoring network established by the GRDC. HERE 

This acknowledges the unpredictable and fast-moving nature of mouse populations and allows for potential future needs of grain producers across the country without requiring a new emergency permit application. 

State Minister’s responsible for agriculture have warmly welcomed this development, and the extensive engagement GPA and APVMA have undertaken with their respective departments across the nation, manufacturers and supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and CSIRO. 

Growers will need to comply with conditions associated with this emergency permit, which include completing a short online training course and reporting baiting details to meet APVMA compliance requirements. 

The training course will be available from 5pm AEST Monday, May 18, allowing final details to be confirmed as per the APVMA permit issued this morning. 

To assist growers with navigating the conditions of accessing ZP50, GPA will be hosting a series of online information sessions, which will include opportunities to ask questions.  

A recording of this information will also be made available. 

ZP50 ONLINE INFORMATION SESSIONS

Tuesday, May 19         | 11.30am AEST  | REGISTER HERE

Wednesday, May 20 | 7.00pm AEST   | REGISTER HERE

Thursday, May 21       | 6.30pm AEST  | REGISTER HERE

To access the GPA mouse bait training course and for further information, visit www.grainproducers.com.au/mouse-control  

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Comments attributable to Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Managing Director Nigel Hart:

“GRDC has been working hard behind the scenes with CSIRO and GPA to provide robust scientific data to underpin the emergency permit application for ZnP50,” Mr Hart said. 

“This bait is a critical additional tool to help growers manage mouse numbers under these extreme conditions. So our collaborative efforts have been aimed at ensuring growers have effective solutions to help protect crops and their livelihoods. 

“GRDC along with GPA will continue to support growers as the permit comes into place and work with the sector to build a stronger database for future applications.” 

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Comments attributable to CSIRO:

This emergency permit is a result of a joint effort with GPA, CSIRO and GRDC and will provide access to an important control tool for growers experiencing significant levels of mouse activity. 

Research from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has shown that, when used in line with the permit, ZP50 delivers a lethal dose on every grain of bait, making it a more effective tool for controlling mouse populations. 

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Comments attributable to Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Chief Executive Officer Scott Hansen:

The APVMA approved the emergency permit in line with the strong safety and environmental standards Australians expect.  Mr Hansen said the authority’s decision was based on a careful and evidence-based assessment to protect farmers, the community and the environment – as is required under the law.  

"The APVMA prioritises emergency permits to support farmers and communities when they need us most,” he said. 

“This prioritisation does not mean taking shortcuts in examination of the product and the way in which it is proposed to be used, including its potential impacts on human health, wildlife and the environment, 

Mr Hansen stated that “approval is only granted where the APVMA is satisfied the product meets the required standards”. 

The permit has been approved with specific use instructions and controls designed to support effective mice management while reducing risks to people, wildlife and the environment. These include clear permit directions on application to minimise exposure to non-target animals. 

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Comments attributable to South Australia’s Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven MLC 

“The Malinauskas Government welcomes the APVMA’s decision to finally give South Australian grain producers access to a mouse control agent that we know to be highly effective in preventing outbreaks,” Ms Scriven said. 

“Our Government has been working closely with farmers and industry groups to help them secure access to double-strength zinc phosphide bait, with plans in place to intervene and apply on behalf of industry if their final applications were rejected. 

“It has been a monumental effort to get to this point, and Grain Producers Australia deserves significant credit for getting their application over the line. 

“We know how critical it is that South Australian producers are informed and ready to deploy effective controls if pest conditions deteriorate, which is why the Malinauskas Government has long supported safe and regulated access to effective control options when outbreak conditions arise. 

“The South Australian Government also welcomes industry moves to seek a research permit, building on the CSIRO’s extensive work in assessing the effectiveness of double-strength zinc phosphide bait and potentially move grain producers closer to having ongoing access to a well-known, previously used, and highly necessary pest control tool.” 

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Comments attributed to Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis: 

“I welcome the APVMA decision, which will assist farmers and communities enduring unprecedented mice conditions,” Ms Jarvis said. 

“I have been advocating for this change for some time now and I’m pleased this decision will provide a way forward for landholders and communities to undertake effective mice control. 

“The WA Government is also supporting affected communities with additional funding to Local Government for baits and clean up measures to help alleviate the cost and stress of dealing with this issue.” 

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Comments attributed to Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett:

The Crisafulli Government congratulates Grain Producers Australia and Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for delivering much needed national flexibility, certainty, and the capacity to respond quickly when plagues are next detected Queensland.

I have supported ongoing calls by key stakeholders for this permit because mice plagues are devasting to crops and communities and while there a currently no outbreaks in Queensland, our thoughts are with landholders interstate.

ENDS 

Further Information: 

GPA RD&E Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann: 0428 504 544

GPA Executive Officer Rachael Oxborrow: 0416 705 193