Release No.: 045-19
WASHINGTON, April 11, 2019 – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has prevailed in an administrative proceeding against Raymond Frank Christie, also known as Ray Christie, doing business as Christie Livestock (Christie), Arcata, Calif., for violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. On March 18, 2019, USDA’s Judicial Officer denied Mr. Christie’s appeal of an earlier decision by an Administrative Law Judge and ordered Christie to cease and desist unfair trade practices under the P&S Act and pay a civil penalty of $13,600.
An Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) investigation revealed that from January 8, 2014, through April 30, 2014, Christie failed to timely pay for $638,112 worth of livestock he purchased in 17 transactions. Payment for all livestock is due before the close of the business day following the purchase and transfer of possession of the livestock. Failure to pay for livestock by the close of the next day business is a violation of P&S Act and is an unfair trade practice.
On August 30, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a corrected default decision that clarified the violations against Mr. Christie and Christie Livestock. On September 28, 2018, Christie filed to appeal the corrected default decision.
The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties of not more than $28,061 per count against any person who violates the statute(s) cited above, after notice and opportunity for hearing on the record.
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 P&S Act, contact Stuart Frank, Fair Trade Practices Program, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (515) 323-2586, or by email at stuart.frank@usda.gov.
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