An emergency use permit has been granted to farmers that will unlock a powerful tool in their battle with mice.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has approved an emergency use application, prepared by Grain Producers Australia (GPA) on behalf of the industry, allowing South Australian grain producers to access double-strength Zinc Phosphide mouse bait (ZnP50).
This will enable grain producers in areas heavily impacted by mice to better control pest rodents damaging their crops, after farmers raised concerns the currently approved zinc phosphide product, ZnP25, was less effective at controlling high numbers.
GPA’s previous ZnP50 emergency use permit expired at the end of 2023.
CSIRO monitoring in recent months has confirmed mouse population increases, with significant increases recorded on Lower Eyre Peninsula, the Adelaide Plains and Yorke Peninsula.
Multiple industry applications to access ZnP50 were knocked back by the APVMA since 2023, after which the state government prepared an intervention involving an application on behalf of grain producers to be lodged if the final applications before the regulator were not approved.
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven contacted the APVMA in February seeking quick assessments from the regulator of industry applications to facilitate emergency access to ZnP50, warning that mice were at risk of reaching “outbreak levels”.
In the same month, Grain Producers SA established a working group with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and CSIRO, working with the state government to coordinate pathways for access to ZnP50.
Ms Scriven said the state government welcomed the decision to give South Australian grain producers access to a mouse control agent known to be highly effective in preventing outbreaks.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Under the conditions of the emergency use permit, ZnP50 can be accessed and used until 15 December 2026.
GPA research, development and extension spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the organisation had worked hard to secure a national emergency permit on behalf of all grain growers to access stronger bait as significant mouse numbers impact several states.
“This is a time-sensitive issue and GPA have been dedicated to working with the APVMA and industry to establish practical permit conditions that balance access to stronger pesticides with safety, environmental and trade considerations,” he said.
“While grain growers have had ongoing access to 25g/kg zinc phosphide (ZnP25) 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 for 50g/kg zinc phosphide (ZnP50) that GPA have been able to secure as the applicant with critical support from GRDC and CSIRO.
“GPA is mindful that every day is critical when combatting pests like mice which can obviously cause massive crop and financial losses in the absence of adequate management tools, as well as significant psychological stress for farmers and their families.”
National Mouse Management Group member and Lock grain producer Andrew Polkinghorne said the announcement was pleasing.
“It’s very good news that this emergency permit for ZnP50 has been announced, and that Grain Producers Australia, Grain Producers SA, GRDC and state governments have been able to work together to achieve this,” he said.
“The research that the CSIRO has done certainly backs the need for the ZnP50 and I know there are plenty of farmers, particularly in South Australia and Western Australia, who will be using it as soon as they can in order to protect their crops.”
Grain producers will also need to complete a short online training course and meet obligations around reporting baiting details to meet APVMA compliance requirements.
For more information about the emergency use permit and the GPA mouse bait training course, visit grainproducers.com.au/mouse-control
