Release No.: 019-19
WASHINGTON, March 11, 2019 – On Aug. 20, 2018, Lynn R. Hottle, doing business as Hottle Livestock (Hottle), Rome, Pa., waived his right to a hearing, entered into a stipulation agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and paid a penalty of $1,250 for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) investigation revealed that during the period of January 2018 to March 2018, Hottle failed to pay for livestock purchases within the timeframe required by the P&S Act. The practice of packers failing to pay timely for livestock purchases is an unfair practice under the P&S Act.
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 timely payment provision cited above, after notice and opportunity for a 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 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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