MOUSE PLAGUES

In reply to the Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15 March 2012).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): The Minister for Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has been advised:

1. Mice are a widely established pest in South Australia. The Government's focus has been on engaging with industry to improve management practices, which was the recommendation of the South Australian Mouse Working Party in its final report.

Eradication of mice is not technically feasible at local or regional scales and the Government will not be undertaking the sorts of biosecurity emergency responses that are implemented to eradicate a new pest or disease incursion into the State.

The Government, through Biosecurity SA, has promoted better industry preparedness through provision of best practice information to prevent and manage mouse plagues through farmer and agronomist meetings, factsheets and website information.

Mice are a national issue for the grains industry and, following the SA Mouse Working Party's report, the Grains Research and Development Corporation has invested considerably in the area. Biosecurity SA and other agencies worked behind the scenes in 2011 to facilitate alternative commercial sources of mouse bait when a national shortage arose. In fact the cost of bait to farmers fell in 2011 with more competition in the market place.

2. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, is an Australian Government statutory authority that makes independent decisions on the registered use of pesticides, including mouse bait products. In making such decisions the Authority undertakes a rigorous scientific assessment that considers, in addition to product efficacy, the potential impacts on product quality, human and animal health and safety, environmental safety and international trade.

The potential for on-farm zinc phosphide mouse bait preparation was discussed in considerable detail by the South Australian Mouse Working Party and the key issue of concern was farmer safety, as zinc phosphide breaks down to release a highly toxic gas.

Arising out of the South Australian Mouse Working Party's report, the Grains Research and Development Corporation has invested in current research to gather the occupational health and safety data required by the APVMA to assess any commercial application for registration of on-farm mouse bait mixing. Biosecurity SA has been involved in the development of this research project.

3. There is currently a large national stockpile of mouse bait available from commercial manufacturers, which is sufficient to counter a major mouse plague. However, it is unlikely that there will be a major mouse plague in South Australia this year.