Industry leaders have welcomed the news that food, fibre and livestock auctions can continue under current stay-at-home orders in rural and regional NSW, Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said today.
Mr Marshall said an exemption had been made under the Public Health Orders, as it was critical the agricultural supply chain could continue to operate.
"I worked hard to secure an exemption to keep sales running in a way that still ensures public health and safety," Mr Marshall said.
"Buyers and sellers can sleep easier tonight knowing they can continue their operations which are so important to the agricultural supply chain.
"There are many sales, especially livestock and wool auctions, scheduled across the state over the coming weeks and we can't afford to stem the critical flow of livestock through the supply chain.
"Saleyards operators and attendees proved last year they can safely meet COVID requirements, so it's only right they remain open for business now, including those sales conducted on private property."
Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association CEO Peter Baldwin welcomed the exemption.
"Industry will work together to put in place measures which make sure people who attended sales are legitimate buyers as well as online bidding," Mr Baldwin said.
"We need to take a step back and remember we are in a pandemic and are fortunate sales can go ahead and we should honour the privilege of being essential workers.
"In wishing our vendors every success in their sales, we have to run these in a COVID-safe manner."
