Lead
A severe mouse plague sweeping through parts of Western Australia has forced the closure of an agricultural college, prompted an emergency permit for stronger pesticides, and left residents describing daily life as akin to driving over a carpet of mice.The Western Australian College of Agriculture at Morawa, about 370 kilometres north of Perth, was closed after a toxic mouse bait approved only for grain paddocks was spread on its campus. The bait, known commercially as Mouse Off and containing zinc phosphide, is a Schedule 7 poison not approved for use in towns or around buildings. The school's principal informed parents that the bait had been used to manage the infestation, and the Department of Education said it would conduct a deep clean of affected areas before the school reopens.
Meanwhile, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has conditionally approved an emergency permit for double-strength mouse baits containing 50 grams per kilogram of zinc phosphide, aimed at helping farmers combat the plague that has devastated crops and invaded homes.
Coverage Comparison
Reports from the ABC, Australia's public broadcaster, have documented the crisis from multiple angles. One report details the school closure, noting that the college has about 50 students in years 10 to 12 and includes a 3,000-hectare working farm where students learn practical farming skills. The Department of Health has said that, based on available information, the risk to staff and students is low, and a deep clean will be undertaken before reopening.A separate report offers a personal account from a senior student at the college, who described avoiding dead mice as "stepping on marshmallows." The student said mice had overrun the school, including the kitchen and dining areas, and that some classrooms were avoided due to the smell of decaying rodents. The student also expressed concern about completing essential tests and assignments, as the school has been closed for a week with no clear reopening date.
Other reports focus on the regulatory and community response. The APVMA's emergency permit for double-strength baits is highlighted as a measure to help farmers who have struggled with standard baits. A shire president, Karen Chappel, has called for urgent intervention, describing the situation as "gravely concerning" and noting that mice have infested homes, businesses, and schools. Residents are concerned about health risks, and the Department of Education is providing support to affected schools.
Key Claims
- The Western Australian College of Agriculture at Morawa has been closed due to the use of toxic mouse bait, which contains zinc phosphide and is marketed as Mouse Off.
- The school has a working farm where students learn practical farming skills.
- The Department of Health has assessed the risk to staff and students as low, and the school will undergo a deep clean before reopening.
- The APVMA has approved an emergency permit for double-strength mouse baits, containing 50 grams per kilogram of zinc phosphide, for use in grain paddocks.
- Farmers have been struggling to control the mouse plague with standard baits.
- The CSIRO estimates that in some farming communities, the plague has reached up to 8,000 mice per hectare.
- Residents describe driving through affected areas as like "popping bubble wrap," with dead mice littering roads and properties.