Funding of these important reform measures will place the wine industry on a firm footing to continue to grow important export markets, and correct previous over-supply in the industry.

The industry is in consultation with government on implementation details relating to the cellar door grant and the draft legislation changes, but we expect that by the end of 2017, the Australian wine industry will be celebrating certainty after a protracted period of upheaval.

WFA also welcomes the significant investment by the Government in regional road and rail infrastructure in the Budget, including the funding of the inland freight railway and funding for the Western Sydney Airport.

Regional transport infrastructure is vital to the Australian wine industry to get our products to market and to bring Australian and overseas tourists to our wineries.

Tony Battaglene

Chief executive officer 

REPORTS that mouse numbers are on the rise in parts of the country and the release of new advice from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) are timely reminders for farmers to keep up their mice monitoring activities.

Monitoring is the key to ensuring the frequency and severity of mouse plagues is kept as low possible.

Monitoring delivers an early warning system if mouse numbers are on the rise and early intervention, before mouse numbers reach plague proportions, is the best approach.

Effective mouse management involves reducing the availability of food and shelter for mice, in combination with poison bait control if required.

Regular inspections around buildings, crop perimeters and throughout the crop at all stages of sowing and growth is crucial in detecting a build-up of mouse numbers.

Farmers are advised to check paddocks, especially where stubble loads are high.

If mice are about farmers should apply bait straight off the back of the seeder or follow with a spreader to distribute bait.

Grains Research and Development Corporation-supported website MouseAlert, https://www.feralscan.org.au/mousealert/ allows farmers to access and contribute to mouse monitoring reports from across the country.

Once mice are in plague numbers there is little farmers can do to control their population. Mouse numbers erupt when food, temperature and nesting conditions are in their favour – so we advise farmers to activate control options before a plague situation exists.

Mouse-proofing and barriers to prevent mice entering buildings, traps and baits can all be used.

NSW DPI’s new Reducing the frequency and severity of mouse plagues primefact is available on the DPI website, http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/714970/PrimeFACT-Mice-and-their-management.pdf. 

Quentin Hart

Invasive species strategy manager

NSW DPI

I ENCOURAGE residents to acknowledge the efforts of community members who give their time to help others, by nominating them for the Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Program.

The contributions of local volunteers to the community cannot be overstated. Day in and day out, local residents from school students to grandparents are tirelessly working to strengthen the fabric of our community by lending a hand to those who need it.

Adrian Piccoli

Member for Murray