Release No.: 094-18
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2018 – On June 5, 2018, Robert “Bobby” Whiteman, Monte Vista, Colo., waived his right to a hearing, entered into a stipulation agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and paid a penalty of $750 for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) investigation of Whiteman found him operating as a livestock dealer without filing a proper registration and maintaining bond coverage during the time period of March 2017, through June 2017. AMS requires that livestock market agencies, dealers and packers post surety bonds to ensure ethical business practices, compliance with regulations and proper fund disbursement. (9 CFR 201.29 – 201.32).
The P&S Act, 1921, (7 U.S.C. § 181, et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties of not more than $11,000 per count against any person who violates the statute(s) cited above, after notice and opportunity for hearing on the record.
USDA enforcement rules provide a mechanism to quickly resolve violations of the P&S Act. USDA may offer alleged violators the option of waiving their right to a hearing and entering into a stipulation agreement to quickly resolve alleged violations.
The P&S Act is a fair trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat and poultry industries.
For further information about the Packers and Stockyards Act, contact Brett Offutt, Fair Trade Practices Program, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051, or by email at s.brett.offutt@ams.usda.gov.
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