Tamworth mice plague: Tamworth to be grain treatment site, but the amount is 'not enough' says a local farmer

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall announced Tamworth, Gunnedah and Narrabri were among the 20 sites for treatment of grain using this poison, if approval is given by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

The government has so far secured 5000L of bromadiolone to do this, with another 5000L coming from overseas.

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But Tambar Springs farmer and NSW Farmers vice president Xavier Martin said this wasn't going to be enough.

"The supplier of bromadiolone is telling us that the maximum amount of active treatment will only result in 20 tonnes a week, and each site is only going to get one tonne of bait a week," Mr Martin said.

"So it's 20 tonnes a week compared to our needs of 70 tonnes a day."

A spokesperson for Mr Marshall said more could be secured if needed, but "to put [it] in perspective, just 6000L ... was needed to help end the 2014 plague".

Mr Martin said he was interested to see if approval was given with the level of toxicity the poison had, given the risk of endangering farm animals and other native animals.

"I'll let the scientists at the APVMA work out the merit of it, but I'm unaware of any permit in the world for agricultural use for this product," he said.

"Farmers take it seriously taking care of animals and the landscape, and I've had a number of members raise serious reservations."

Mr Marshall said he was "very confident" the authority would give it the green light, but understood the risk it posed to animals.

"I've been very upfront about the potential of non-target species impacts of using a poison as strong as bromadiolone, that's why in our application we've only asked for it to be handled by professionals who have national accreditations and to be used by farmers that have accreditations," he said.

Other sites chosen for the treatment include Coonabarabran, Inverell, Warialda, Moree, and Walgett.

Mr Marshall said the APVMA's decision should be announced in a week to ten days.

Farmers can register for grain treatment online via the Local Land Service's website or by calling their nearest Local Land Service office. Sites will operate in rotation and by appointment to ensure safe chemical handling and access for staff and customers.

The free grain treatment is part of the state government's $50 million support package to manage the impacts on regional communities, which also includes bait rebates for households and small businesses, community workshops and targeted pest research.

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