Release No.: 124-18
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2018 – On August 16, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Fair Trade Practices Program (FTPP) issued a complaint against Southeast Mississippi Livestock (A.A.L.) (SE Mississippi), Hattiesburg, Miss., for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act (Act).
AMS conducted a review of the operations of SE Mississippi in January 2018. The review disclosed that specific employees of SE Mississippi who were performing “key” price discovery functions in the operations of livestock sales were also purchasing livestock out of consignment for their own account. Purchase invoices recording these transactions listed false names to conceal the identity of these employees. The regulations issued under the Act prohibit auction market employees performing specified “key” functions from purchasing livestock for their own account, directly or indirectly.
If the allegations are admitted, or proven in an oral hearing, SE Mississippi may be ordered to cease and desist from violating the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act, suspended, and/or assessed a civil penalty.
The Packers and Stockyards 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@ams.usda.gov.
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