Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has today condemned comments by animal activists group PETA urging the State’s farmers not to eradicate mice, which are plaguing cropping production across many parts of NSW.

“This anti-farming group often comes up with some pretty bizarre stuff, but this is utter lunacy,” Mr Marshall said.

“If they had their way, our farmers would simply roll over and let these mice, which are in plague proportions in a number of areas of the State, eat everything in the paddocks and their sheds.

“This would be devastating to our ag sector, our economy and the social fabric of our country communities.

“These dribblers need to spend some time out in the regions and see what our farmers are dealing with and have dealt with through the very worst nature could throw at them the last few years.

“While I am not surprised they’ve come out on the side of these vermin, it just shows again how dangerous, malicious and out of touch with reality PETA is.

“These people stand condemned – their comments are insulting and hurtful to people at the coalface having to deal with the cost and mental health toll these pests are causing.”

The NSW Government recently announced a $50 million support package, in addition to its workshops to educate farmers on the best eradication strategies, to offer the State’s rural communities assistance to battle the mice plague.