The NSW Nationals in the state government have announced the rebate programme for mice baits will be backdated to February.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said backdating the program will help regional families that were impacted by mice earlier this year and will ease the financial pressure farmers and small businesses are currently facing.
“By extending the eligibility period back to February it will hopefully take some pressure off regional communities who are battling these rodents,” Mr Barilaro said.
“I can also announce today that primary producers will be able to claim a single rebate of up to $1,000 where their business and residence share an address.
“Farmers and regional small businesses often live where they work, so it makes sense that they can apply for a rebate of up to $1,000 to help meet the cost of buying bait,” he said.
The mouse bait rebate will be available to households, small businesses and primary producers in the mouse-impacted Central Tablelands, Central West, Northern Tablelands, North West, Western, Riverina and Murray regions, and select Local Government Areas in Hunter and South East Local Land Service regions.
Nationals Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said plans to provide farmers with bromadiolone treated grain for perimeter baiting are progressing but remain dependent on approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
“Bromadiolone perimeter baiting is a second layer of defence on top of the doubled rate of zinc phosphide application,” Mr Marshall said.
Claiming a bait rebate will be a simple process that can be completed on the Service NSW website or by visiting a Service NSW centre and uploading or providing receipts for mouse bait purchases dating back to February 1, 2021.
For further details about the mouse rebate program, including eligibility and the claims process, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/mice.
