The NSW government, through key agriculture agencies, is supporting landholders impacted by mice by providing "on the ground advice on how best to manage the pest", the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) reports.
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But as the Orana region continues to be overrun with the rodents, agriculture minister Adam Marshall is remaining tight-lipped about whether it would subsidise the cost of baits and if he would declare the outbreak a plague.
The NSW government is facing growing calls to support growers and rural communities who are bearing the brunt of the problem affecting large parts of western NSW.
Peak body NSW Farmers last week said the escalating plague was decimating crops, destroying stored hay and invading silos, sheds and homes.
It sought urgent action from the government to provide more control options and provide a rebate on rodenticide products or a subsidy for baiting, saying control was "costly".
Barwon MP Roy Butler also renewed his call for the government to recognise the growing issue of mice and their impact on towns, agriculture, businesses and people's well-being, and to subsidise the cost of baiting.
NSW Health last week confirmed three patients or residents had been bitten by mice in Orana region facilities, while one Dubbo man reported of catching at least 500 mice at his property in one night.
The Daily Liberal sent questions asking if Mr Marshall would move to declare the mouse outbreak a plague and if not, then why, and also if the government would provide a bait subsidy, as NSW Farmers was calling for.
On Friday a statement was received from the NSW DPI.
"The most effective management strategy for landholders continues to be reducing the availability of food and shelter for mice in combination with pesticide bait control," a DPI spokesperson said.
"The baits are widely available through local rural supply outlets.
"The NSW government, through the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services, is supporting landholders through the provision of on the ground advice on how best to manage this pest.
"Resources are also available from GRDC, CSIRO and local agronomists on how to manage the pest in-crop.
"The support being offered by the NSW government is consistent with other states."
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Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
