GROWING fears about saleyard operators' liability for injuries could see young children banned from livestock sales.

The Weekly Times understands that some young children have already been refused entry from saleyards in Euroa and Hay, in NSW.

Livestock Saleyards Association of Victoria chief executive David Pollock said policy regarding children in saleyards was "not too defined".

"Like any other public area, children have to be under the supervision of an adult. But in areas where there is direct access to cattle, children are not a goer," he said.

Mr Pollock said 17 saleyards across Victoria and South Australia had adopted a common Occupational Health and Safety program designed to keep saleyards safe and ensure standards were more uniform.

Both private and government owners of saleyards had a responsibility for the safety of all people in saleyards, he said.

But some families have labelled the stance "heavy-handed".

Jerilderie NSW beef producer Mel McGrath was "astounded and disheartened" when her four-year-old daughter was refused entry to the Euroa saleyards.

Mrs McGrath and her husband, Steve, are frequent visitors to the Euroa, Hay and Wangaratta saleyards.

"I was refused entry and had to sit in the car with her and wait until the sale was over," Mrs McGrath said.

"It's a family day for us; when we sell our cattle, we all go."

A spokesman for the Strathbogie Shire said there was no strict policy regarding children in saleyards, but saleyard owners and operators had a responsibility to ensure the best workplace practices were followed.

He said the refusal at Euroa - where people and cattle share the same passageways - signalled an increasing vigilance on the part of saleyard operators.

Saleyard operators in NSW adhere to similar guidelines to those of the 17 saleyards in Victoria and South Australia.

And operators in Queensland and Western Australia have indicated they will follow suit.

But Mrs McGrath said banning children discouraged families from attending.

"If we want our children to become farmers, we have to do these things with them and encourage them to become involved," she said.

"I can see how the saleyards can be a dangerous place, but it's a sad world where you can't take your family along to see the family's cattle sold."

Hay saleyards staff were unavailable for comment yesterday.