Adam Marshall and Mark Coulton respond to mice plague criticism from Roy Butler

Mr Coulton, who is part of the Australian government's National party, stated that while the rodent infestation was primarily a state matter, they were doing everything they could at a federal level.

One of the possible solutions that Mr Butler raised involved requesting permission from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) to allow farmers and councils to use restricted poisons and off-label mixing.

While his understanding was that this was unlikely, Mr Coulton believes there is still an opportunity to process emergency use permit applications in order to help farmers and businesses protect their grain.

He also stated that he did not need to be reminded of the severity of the situation, as he has battled mice on his own property.

"I understand the difficult situation that farmers and community members are facing with the high numbers of mice in rural areas - I've been battling them at my place in Warialda, and while it isn't as bad as it is in places like Coonamble, it's bad enough," he said.

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"Heavy rainfall has meant good breeding conditions for mice, which have kept multiplying through the summer, and are expected to continue to do so even through the winter, potentially threatening crops."

Mr Butler, who represents the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party, directed the majority of his displeasure towards the NSW Nationals, but Mr Marshall - who is also Minister for Agriculture - said work was being done behind the scenes.

Potential answers are being looked at, however Mr Marshall's office noted they would be closely monitoring what impact the current floods have on mice numbers.

While themselves devastating, extreme weather events can often spell the end of plague-like numbers for mice and locusts.

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