Many carriers are sick of copping $550 fines if the smallest bit of excrement falls from their truck, even if they are stopped at a weighbridge.

The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association is in discussion with NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey to construct drop-off areas for trucks with effluent in parts of the state to stop the problem of who is responsible for livestock effluent.

Association president, Lynley Miners, Adaminaby, said even minor infringements for a driver not observing “load restraint” ended up in $550 fines. He knew of two recent fines.

Mr Miners said there must be a chain of responsibility for the effluent from carrying stock, and farmers should play their role. Tanks on trucks had only limited ability to contain the effluent, he said. 

It is believed most farmers reject trucks unloading waste from livestock on their farms because of biosecurity fears. 

A move to get a chain of responsibility in Queensland was thwarted by the state election, with livestock  carriers hoping the regulations would flow on to NSW.

“Farmers to a degree have their head in the sand on this issue,” Mr Miners said. “They don’t know what to do about it.”

“We have to get producers and feedlots a little bit more accountable. They’re not going to like to hear that, but that’s how it is.”

People had to be more responsible in getting livestock ready for transport and observing curfews so there was reduced excrement. With freight movements set to double by 2022-23, some sensible balance need to be brought in on the issue, Mr Miners said.