Mice Threaten Western Australian Wheat

Australia’s leaders have voiced worry over a sudden rise in mice numbers across the western wheat belt. The rodents are eating grain and damaging farms, which could hurt the country’s ability to export food. Energy Minister Chris Bowen told a televised interview from Sydney that the government will keep working with farmers and industry to limit the damage. Farmers in April already warned that the mice could wipe out large areas of crop and urged authorities to supply stronger poison.Australia is one of the world’s biggest wheat exporters, so a loss in production could affect markets worldwide. The problem is not new; the worst mouse outbreak happened back in 1993 and caused huge losses for farmers and livestock owners. Now the government says it will collaborate with experts to find solutions and protect both local and overseas food supplies. The mice plague is a hard challenge for farmers, the industry, and government officials alike.