❓ Mr. Hunter questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the increasing mouse plague in WA grain-growing regions, seeking information on DPIRD's assessment, government action, and support for affected growers.

I refer to increasing reports of significant mice activity across grain-growing regions of Western Australia and recent warnings from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and industry stakeholders regarding the risk posed to seeding operations and crop establishment:(a) What assessment has the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) undertaken regarding current mice populations across the WA grainbelt;(b) Has the Minister been formally briefed on the extent of the current mouse outbreak and its potential impact on the 2026 seeding program and grain production;(c) Which regions in Western Australia are currently considered to be at highest risk of severe mouse infestation;(d) Has DPIRD undertaken or commissioned any modelling on the potential economic impact of the mouse plague on the Western Australian agricultural sector;(e) What communication has the Minister or Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) had with any of the below regarding management of the current mouse outbreak:(i) the CSIRO;(ii) Grain Producers Australia;(iii) WA Farmers; and(iv) the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA);(f) Is the State Government supporting applications for emergency approvals or expanded access to higher-strength zinc phosphide bait products, including ZP50 formulations:(i) If yes, what action has been taken and on what dates; and(ii) If no, why not;(g) Has the State Government considered any emergency financial assistance or rebate programs for affected growers facing significant baiting costs and crop losses;(h) What contingency planning has been undertaken should mouse numbers continue to increase during seeding and crop emergence;(i) Has DPIRD issued any formal alerts, management advice or preparedness notices to growers regarding the outbreak;(j) Will the Minister commit to providing regular public updates to growers and regional communities on the evolving situation;(k) What measures are being undertaken to ensure sufficient supply and distribution of mouse bait products throughout regional Western Australia during seeding;(l) Has the Minister raised concerns with the Commonwealth Government regarding regulatory delays associated with approval of more effective bait formulations; and(m) What lessons has the State Government incorporated from previous mouse plagues experienced elsewhere in Australia, including the 2020–21 eastern states outbreak estimated to have caused more than $1 billion in damage?