David Layzell MP, Member for Upper Hunter is encouraging primary producers experiencing financial hardship due to the mice plague to apply for rebates for the purchase of the critical mouse plague control chemical zinc phosphide.
Mr Layzell said this is part of the NSW Nationals commitment to supporting primary producers in Upper Hunter who have been battling with the devastating wave of mice in regional NSW.
“This new funding will offer primary producers in Upper Hunter financial relief by providing a rebate of 50 per cent on zinc phosphide purchases, up to $10,000, to help cash flow and confidence to place advance orders on zinc phosphide ahead of spring,” Mr Layzell said.
“Communities in our Upper Hunter Electorate have done it tough off the back of drought, bushfires, floods and COVID-19 and the last thing we needed was these vermin terrorising us in our sleep and destroying crops.
“The NSW Nationals are building a safer and stronger regional NSW and these rebates are part of our commitment to supporting our agriculture sector which gives so much to this state.
Mr Barilaro said the NSW Government was working with manufacturers to shore up supplies of zinc phosphide to ensure the State’s farmers are prepared to stamp out a possible spring surge in the mouse population.
“When the mouse bait and treated grain programs were announced I said there would be more support to come and today I’m pleased to confirm we will extend the program to include primary producer rebates for zinc phosphide,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Zinc phosphide is already a tax deductible expense for primary producers and while many are now seeing more promising business activity following the drought, I know the mice plague is stinging the hip pocket, which is why we are providing this rebate.
“We are working to help guarantee that there will be a supply of zinc phosphide active ingredient by investing $5 million to assist with the costs of transporting it to Australia.
“We will make sure any baits produced with zinc phosphide are earmarked for sale to NSW producers first, and we will continue to work to connect manufacturers with Commonwealth support such as the International Freight Assistance Mechanism.”
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The Department of Regional NSW will work with industry stakeholders, like NSW Farmers, to develop the zinc phosphide rebate framework, including how primary producers will be able to claim the rebate and the eligibility criteria.
Mr Layzell continued, saying the $100 million primary producer zinc phosphide rebate scheme is in addition to the $50 million package designed for households and small businesses announced last month.
“Primary producers who live where they work are already able to claim rebates of up to $1,000 for mouse bait, traps and cleaning products used to protect their homes,” Mr Layzell said.
“This is yet another example of the Nationals in Government providing for our communities in time of need, and building a stronger Upper Hunter Electorate,” Mr Layzell concluded.
Grain treatment with bromadiolone for perimeter baiting is awaiting approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. For more information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/mice
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