USDA Issues Packers and Stockyards Complaint Against Rodney Rasco

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2020 – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, on April 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint against Rodney Rasco (Rasco) of Mississippi, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

 An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service revealed that Rasco failed to pay timely for 145 head of livestock, totaling $83,062 from April 3, 2017, through May 22, 2017.

 The P&S Act requires subject entities to issue the full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to pay timely for livestock purchases is an unfair trade practice and a violation of the P&S Act.

 Rasco will have 20 calendar days following receipt of the complaint to respond directly to the USDA Administrative Law Judge or be found in violation and subject to penalty.

 The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $11,000 per violation against any person after the notice and opportunity for hearing on the record. If the allegations are admitted or proven in an oral hearing, Rasco may be ordered to cease and desist from violating the P&S Act and assessed a civil penalty.

 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 Stuart Frank, Director, Packers and Stockyards Division, Fair Trade Practices Program at (515) 323-2586, or by email at stuart.frank@usda.gov.

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