03 May 2022, US: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Nah Inc., doing business as Ziyadeh Meat Market (Nah) of Fairview, N.J., on March 18, 2022, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation agreement, Nah waived its rights to a hearing and paid a civil penalty of $1,750.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed Nah failed to timely pay for 13 livestock purchases from August 2021 through October 2021. Payments ranged from 10 to 48 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. It also requires subject entities to keep and maintain records that accurately disclose the full nature of the transaction. Failure to timely pay for livestock purchases and failing to properly maintain records are violations of the P&S Act.
The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $29,616 per violation against any person after notice and opportunity for a 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.
