NSW Agriculture Minister says saleyards are 'business as usual'

It comes off the back of a number of saleyards having their own guidelines around saleyard attendance as industry bodies have made decisions in line with federal government health advice, rather than that of NSW.

Some of the restrictions saleyards have implemented include buyer sign-in, only selected buyers were allowed, vendors were not permitted on site, and the standard 1.5 metres social distancing measures.

But Mr Marshall said NSW's livestock and fibre auctions were open for business without restrictions as they were vital to the agricultural supply chain and had been permitted to operate as normal through the pandemic.

"From the outset I have been very clear that food and fibre producers, as well as businesses along our supply chains, should proceed as business as usual, while adhering to social distancing where possible," Mr Marshall said.

"I have worked hard to ensure that livestock and fibre sales across the state are not impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, including gathering limits, as they are a critical part of our supply chains.

"Despite government exemptions, many individual saleyards have sought to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by implementing specific measures, such as limiting access and keeping records of attendees."

Mr Marshall is appealing to the state's saleyard operators to "exercise commonsense" when conducting auctions and sales.

He said the Department of Primary Industries had established a dedicated COVID-19 concierge service, which was available to provide advice to industry, including saleyard operators, about how to navigate these challenging times.

Kate McGilvray from Australian Livestock Markets Association (ALMA), the peak national advocacy body that represents 80 per cent of saleyards, said the national saleyards protocols were developed and agreed to by the red meat industry in March to address social distancing requirements of 1.5m between people.

She said the entire industry came under those protocols regardless of whether they were a member of not.

Ms McGilvray said the federal government's social distancing requirement of 1.5m between people had not changed so the protocols were still in place.

"It was an industry agreed position to maintain the safety of people and the selling of livestock to go on," Ms McGilvray said.

"Saleyards are still operating as they have been over the last couple of months. The conditions on site are still being retained because the 1.5m distancing in confined spaces between pens is necessary."

Ms McGilvray said she was aware of Mr Marshall's comments in regards to saleyards but the ALMA board met last week and confirmed that until 1.5m social distancing requirements were removed or another system could be implemented on site, then the protocols would remain in place.

"Saleyards are accommodating buyers but onlookers don't have access to saleyards," she said.

"There are saleyards that are live-streaming on Youtube or Facebook and there is online bidding available."

She said for those people who were attending saleyards, there were a range of measures individual saleyards were implementing including registering, providing a declaration or collecting contact details.

"If you are a genuine buyer, access to the saleyards is there," she said.

Tim Gallagher from AAM Investment Group (AAMIG), which is the manager and operator of the Regional Livestock Exchanges (RLX) portfolio, said as an essential service, livestock sales at the network of RLX facilities across the east coast of Australia, would continue, in line with industry as well as state and federal government recommendations.

Mr Gallagher said RLX facilities remained open for vendors to inspect livestock prior to the sale, as long as individuals were adhering to social distancing requirements.

He said RLX management continued to have active viewing areas available for all those in attendance at sales and would continue to provide this option for those wishing to view the sale on site.

He said while management were able to welcome interested parties onsite to utilise pre-sale inspection times and live viewing areas, limits on the number of buyers allowed in buyer galleries at the commencement of the sale will be applied.

These limits will ensure that buyers are able to adhere to social distancing requirements whilst participating in livestock sales, he said.

"The wellbeing of those on site is our first and foremost consideration, and we're working hard to keep our people safe, ensure the continuity of livestock sales and safeguard the supply chains they are part of," Mr Gallagher said, who is AAM chief executive.

He added management of RLX facilities had begun planning the transition back to normal practices and would begin this implementation alongside recommendations by industry as well as state and federal governments.

Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association (ALPA) chief executive Peter Baldwin said it was taking a national approach and that human health was a priority.

"ALPA is unreserved in its belief that vigilance in social distancing must occur," Mr Baldwin said.

"We have taken a national approach and have got on the front foot immediately to ensure livestock selling could continue.

"We respect the Minister's comments and we long for the days when people can attend saleyards as a wonderful event, but at the moment our primary consideration is the safeguard of human health."