Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the NSW Government had provided ongoing support to help farmers and regional communities knock down mice numbers, including its $150 million mouse control program.

"I've seen first-hand how farmers suffered from the numbers of mice in plague proportions we've seen this year, particularly off the back of the best conditions we have seen in many seasons," Mr Marshall said.

"That's why I asked the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to apply to the APVMA to allow perimeter baiting with bromadiolone-treated grain - to give farmers another tool to add to their management options in these extraordinary circumstances.

"But we didn't put all our eggs in one basket, nor have we sat on our hands while waiting for a determination.

"The NSW Government put $150 million on the table to give farmers rebates of 50 per cent on zinc phosphide purchases, run extensive workshops with Australia's leading mice expert and invested in Australian-leading biocontrol research to help control the plagues of the future and more.

"The APVMA was extremely diligent in its consideration of our request and despite being disappointed not getting the outcome we wanted for the State's farmers, they are the independent regulator and we accept the umpire's decision.

"Resources that were to be used to distribute bromadiolone will now be redeployed to support the other key support measures.

"We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers throughout this winter and into the spring season."

The APVMA advised NSW DPI this afternoon that its application had been declined.

Recently the APVMA approved a number of emergency use permits for the use of zinc phosphide which have changed some aspects of its use:

Use on cotton, issued 27 January 2021

Use in fallow situations prior to sowing grain, legume, canola, safflower and nut crops, and use on pasture, issued 6 April 2021

Use of bait treated with 50g/kg of zinc phosphide at 1kg/ha on grain, legume, canola, safflower and nut crops and use on pasture, issued 7 May 2021

Use of bait treated with 25g/kg of zinc phosphide at 3-5kg/ha on grain, legume, canola, safflower and nut crops and use on pasture, issued 9 April 2021 and 26 May 2021

Under the NSW Government's $150 million mice response package, primary producers who live where they work can claim rebates of up to $1000 for mouse bait, traps and cleaning products used to protect their homes, and eligible producers will be able to claim 50% of the cost of purchasing zinc phosphide baits to a maximum of $10,000.

Regional households may be eligible to claim rebates of up to $500 for mouse bait, traps and cleaning products and small businesses could claim up to $1000.

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