Release No.: 120-19
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2019 – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, on Sept. 6, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint against Freddy Lamb (Lamb) of Oklahoma, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service revealed from June 2016 to August 2016, Lamb operated as a dealer buying and selling livestock for his own account without obtaining the necessary bond or bond equivalent.
The P&S Act requires that every market agency, packer and dealer must execute and maintain a bond applicable to the activity or activities in which the entity engages. Operating without an adequate bond or bond equivalent is a violation of the P&S Act.
Lamb 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, Lamb 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, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (515) 323-2586, or by email at stuart.frank@usda.gov .
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