Release No.: 074-18
WASHINGTON, June 18, 2018 – On Dec. 16, 2018, Crystal River Meats LLC (Crystal River), and Tai Jacober, Carbondale, Colo., waived their 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 violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) investigation of Crystal River revealed the packer failed to pay, when due, for livestock purchases. Specifically, Crystal River failed to pay within the time period required by the Act for its livestock purchases. Failure to pay when due is a violation of Section 409(a) of the P&S Act.
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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