Answers to Questions

MOUSE PLAGUES

In reply to the Hon. J.S. LEE (17 May 2011) (First Session).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has been advised:

1. The South Australian Mouse Working Party's final report and the Government's response to its recommendations are available on the Biosecurity SA website www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa. The Working Party has no role in addressing the occupational health and safety concerns for mixing the zinc phosphide baits on farm. This is a matter between commercial proponents and the Commonwealth regulatory authority, the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

2. The SA Mouse Working Party did not recommend subsidies for mouse bait, but rather initiatives to reduce its retail cost. The Government is keen to facilitate a competitive marketplace for bait supply and there are now four companies supplying bait nationally (Animal Control Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, PCT Holdings Pty Ltd, Bell Laboratories and 4Farmers P/L), with further local regional bait manufacturers in the pipeline for SA. It is expected that local manufacturers in SA would be able to supply bait at a lower cost, due to less long-distance freighting and use of unsterilised grain.

A major constraint to bait manufacture in 2011 has been the rate at which sterilised (i.e. irradiated) grain can be supplied. As an alternative, Biosecurity SA facilitated permit applications by three manufacturers to allow for use of non-sterilised, cleaned, seed for sowing quality wheat grain to supply bait at the State scale. Sources of such grain (triple rust resistant wheat varieties) were located in SA for the manufacturers and 400 tonnes has been sent interstate. Such non-sterilised bait is available for purchase by SA farmers.