Strategy to prevent mice plagues in Queensland
Published Wednesday, 25 October, 2006 at 08:56 AM
Minister for Natural Resources and Water
The Honourable Kerry Shine
The Queensland Government has unveiled a strategy to help prevent mouse plagues, which can cause up to $30 Million worth of damage.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Kerry Shine launched the updated the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s Queensland Mouse Management Strategy (2006-11) today.
Speaking at the inaugural Queensland Pest Animal Symposium at Highfields near Toowoomba today, Mr Shine said key planks of the updated five-year mouse strategy included development and registration of additional pesticides and improved monitoring of mice populations.
“The Strategy aims to reduce social, economic and environmental impacts caused by mice. It has been estimated that mice plagues cause from $10 Million to $30 Million worth of damage,” Mr Shine said.
“In 1995, there was a major mouse plague on the Darling Downs threatening grain crops from across an area from Dalby to Goondiwindi.”
“A comprehensive aerial baiting campaign using strychnine was devised and 250,000 hectares were baited. This baiting campaign averted potential losses of $45 Million.”
Mr Shine said a major development since 1995 had been the development and registration of a zinc phosphide in-crop rodenticide, commercially known as Mouseoff.
“This rodenticide has been an effective, pro-active tool and broadscale mouse plagues in Queensland appear to have become less frequent and less severe.”
“The new strategy commits to developing and registering additional safe and effective in-crop rodenticides over the next five years.”
“The development of additional readily-available pesticides can only serve to strengthen our management of mice numbers.”
Mr Shine said the Department was committed to work to improve mice-monitoring techniques.
“We need to be able to better predict, and therefore better prepare for mouse plagues. The impacts of mice can be reduced and this Strategy, developed in consultation with community and industry groups, provides the know-how,” Mr Shine said.
Meanwhile, Mr Shine also announced the Department would soon undertake a review of the Queensland Pest Animal Strategy 2002-2006.
“When released four years ago, the Strategy established a clear direction to government, community, industry, and individuals to manage pest issues across Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
“Now it is time to see how to improve on the original strategy.”
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3896 3689 or 0418 197 350