Rick Maslin, SELX Manager welcomed Hume Policing District Commander, Superintendent Chris Schilt, Inspector Jacob Reeves (Young) and Inspector Mat Hinton (Yass) and members of the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT), to discuss collaborative opportunities.

The partnership is aimed at ensuring compliance around biosecurity and animal welfare, which ultimately go towards the protection of the livestock industry. Animal Welfare is a focus for the RCPT across the state as Rural Crime Investigators conduct compliance activity, particularly around sale yard operations and the interception of transported livestock.

“Staff and livestock agents are committed to providing a facility that places animal welfare as its highest priority,” said SELX Manager, Rick Maslin. “Extensive research has gone into the design and functionality of the yards to achieve a world-class facility focused on animal safety and wellbeing, environmental sustainability and workplace health and safety.”

SELX requires all vendors and transporters consigning or delivering livestock to SELX to comply with the industry standards as stated in the MLA Fit to Load Guide. The Guide clearly sets out the minimum requirements for producers and transporters when consigning livestock. It is recommended that all producers and transporters familiarise themselves with this publication.

“With the movement of so many animals through a concentrated environment such as a sale yard, authorities understand there is a heightened risk of injury, however it is disappointing when we see clear ‘fit to load’ issues with animals on site,” said RCPT Southern Zone Coordinator, Detective Sergeant Nott. “Fit to load starts with the producer, there is an expectation sick or injured livestock will be cared for and dealt with humanely on farm and not make it to the back of a truck.”

Livestock will not be accepted at SELX which fail to comply with the MLA Fit to Load Guidelines. All injured, diseased or moribund livestock will be destroyed immediately, and relevant charges applied to the vendor through their agent. Vendors should check with their preferred agent for the current schedule of fees and charges to euthanise and dispose of livestock at SELX.

Photograph (L to R): Detective Senior Constables Paul Clancy (Riverina Policing District) and Mick Calleja (The Hume Policing District) Inspector Mat Hinton (OIC Yass) Inspector Jacob Reeves (OIC Young), Superintendent Chris Schilt (Commander – The Hume Policing District) Detective Senior Constable Aaron Walker (Riverina Policing District) Detective Sergeant Damian Nott (RCPT Southern Zone Coordinator).