March 27, 2020
Australia’s livestock industry has welcomed the assurance from Agriculture Minister David Littleproud that saleyards will continue to operate.
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) said ensuring continuity in food supply at this difficult time was of critical importance.
The NFF said saleyard operators, agents, buyers, processors and producers were acutely aware of the immense challenge the COVID-19 health emergency presented.
It said the sector had reached a unified position about the management of sales.
The management decisions agreed on include:
- Limiting attendance at sales to essential saleyard site staff, accredited livestock agents and essential agency staff along with genuine buyers with a true intention to purchase.
- All other individuals, who are not essential to the sale process, should not attend the selling facility. Livestock transporters will still be able to access saleyard facilities for unloading and loading of livestock.
- The putting in place of on-ground systems and protocols to manage attendance in line with the above position.
These measures will build on the range of measures that have already been introduced in saleyards across the country in response to the COVID-19 health emergency.
- Related article: Saleyards Can Still Operate
