Council voted last week to waive around $7,500 in yard fees and provide office space free of charge to new agents for their first 12 months, in an attempt to attract livestock agents from outside the local area and increase livestock numbers sold through the saleyards.

Hindmarsh and Co owner Jim Hindmarsh said he did not object to new agents selling through Moss Vale provided they bring new cattle.

But if council waived fees for new agents, they should also waive fees for existing agents, he said.

"Council has got to keep it fair," said Mr Hindmarsh, who pays general fees and rental on the use of an office one-day a week.

Elders manager Pat Cleary said council's decision was a disgrace.

"The local agents built the saleyards up to be what it is," he said.

"The local agents paid their dues.

"The local agents helped them to pay their debts. There's got to be a level playing field."

Mr Cleary said in other selling centres new agents paid entry fees of up to $20,000.

While he welcomed council's openness in consulting local agents about the move to attract new agents, he was disappointed with the decision.

"They need to ask (a), is this thing necessary to do, and (b), is this being fair to the current agents?" he said.

Landmark Moss Vale manager Richard Norton said that increased cattle numbers at Moss Vale would also bring more buyers.

Full story: SHN, Wednesday, March 1, 2006.