Mayor alleges ‘serious incidents’ involving euthanased, castrated cattle as saleyard saga continues

A Northern Rivers mayor has released a list of serious animal welfare allegations involving a council-owned saleyard. 

The move by Richmond Valley Mayor Robert Mustow is the latest twist in an ongoing dispute about the operation of the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange (NRLX) at Casino.

Cr Mustow said the alleged incidents posed biosecurity risks and some had required police or RSPCA involvement.

“There’s been an unauthorised firearm brought onto the NRLX property to euthanase a beast and then [it was butchered] onsite,” he said.

“It’s illegal even to take a firearm on someone else’s property, and this is public land.”

Other alleged incidents include the castration of a bull at the saleyard without veterinary involvement, unauthorised cutting of perimeter fences to enable entry and exit of stock, and contract workers falsifying statements for multiple injury reports.

“There’s a lot of disturbing incidents that have occurred there and council can’t tolerate that any more,” Cr Mustow said.

Community suffers

The NLRX facility has not held major cattle sales since July 1 due to a stand-off with livestock agents over a pay dispute.

The only exception has been a recent charity sale event.

Local agents have taken issue with an increase in their fees, as well as Richmond Valley Council taking control of stock at the multi-million dollar facility.

The result has been an increasingly bitter and prolonged dispute, with both sides questioning the other’s ability to operate the facility.

Cr Mustow said the situation was hurting the local community, and farmers in particular.

“Council has asked the agents to come forward with clear, precise [directions] to resolve this and to date that hasn’t happened,” he said.

“We are looking for other agents to get the saleyards back up and running.”

Council given RSPCA notice

The Richmond Valley Council itself has also been subject to an RSPCA direction, after failing to adequately clean cattle troughs at the facility.

NRLX operations manager Brad Willis said the troughs were typically cleaned on a Tuesday, and the inspection was held on a Monday after two large back-to-back sales were held in the previous week.

“Yes, the troughs were dirty,” he said.

“A notice had been given by the RSPCA that all the livestock troughs need to be cleaned before every single sale.

“Once sales resume, we have no doubt that the RSPCA will be back … [and] certainly it’s paramount to us that we’re doing the right thing and making sure that all those requirements are being met.”

The ABC has approached NSW Police for comment about the council’s claims.