28 February 2022, US: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Atlantic Veal & Lamb, LLC. (Atlantic) of Brooklyn, N.Y., on Feb. 12, 2022, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation agreement, Atlantic waived its rights to a hearing and paid a civil penalty of $7,500.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service revealed Atlantic failed to timely pay for its livestock purchases. Atlantic purchased 2,259 head of livestock over 16 sale dates from October through November 2020, ranging from 11 to 25 days late. 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 timely pay for livestock purchases is a violation of the P&S Act.
The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $29,270 per violation against any person after notice and opportunity for hearing on the record. USDA may offer alleged violators the option of waiving their right to a hearing and enter 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.
