Grain Producers SA (GPSA) has welcomed the approval of an emergency use permit for ZP50 (Zinc
Phosphide) mouse bait, describing the decision as much needed for South Australian grain producers
reporting mouse activity and damage across parts of the state.
GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
Authority’s (APVMA) approval of an application from Grain Producers Australia (GPA) would provide
South Australian grain producers with an important tool to manage mice as numbers grow.
“South Australian grain producers will welcome this decision, particularly those already seeing signs
of mouse activity and damage in paddocks and around infrastructure,” Mr Perry said.
“Mice can quickly turn from a nuisance into a serious economic threat if populations build,
particularly when growers are already managing a range of seasonal pressures including higher input
costs and variable conditions.”
Survey Shows Widespread Damage As Mouse Numbers Increase
Results from a recent GPSA survey of almost 400 grain producers found that half were experiencing
regular mouse sightings, with damage already occurring during seeding operations across key South
Australian grain regions.
The survey found mouse activity was most prevalent across the Yorke Peninsula, Mid North and
Adelaide Plains regions, with grain producers reporting activity ranging from occasional sightings
through to widespread damage.
In 2024, GPSA surveyed nearly 150 grain producers to ascertain the effectiveness of double strength
bait compared to standard strength mouse bait, which had been available for use under permit until
the end of 2023.
The survey results showed that South Australian grain producers that used the double strength
mouse bait under permit rated it as 90 per cent effective, compared to the single dose at 50 per cent
effective in battling mouse populations.
Compliance Key Under Emergency Mouse Bait Permit
Mr Perry said responsible stewardship and compliance with permit conditions would be essential.
“It is important that South Australian grain producers carefully follow all permit requirements and
use the product only as approved,” he said.
Growers will need to comply with conditions associated with this emergency permit, which
include completing a short online training course and reporting baiting details to meet APVMA
compliance requirements.
More information about the approval can be found here.
For information about access to ZP50 mouse bait, click here.
