Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2020 – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, on June 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint against Frey Cattle Company Inc. and Alan Halfmann (FCC and Halfmann) of Ballinger, Texas, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service revealed that from July 30, 2018, through Nov 1, 2018, FCC and Halfmann failed to pay when due for 18 livestock purchases totaling $82,756. FCC and Halfmann made payments for the livestock up to 6 days late.
P&S regulation requires that when purchasing livestock, livestock dealers must issue the full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to do so is an unfair practice and a violation of the P&S Act.
The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $28,061 per violation against any person after the notice and opportunity for hearing on the record. If the allegations are admitted or proven in an oral hearing, FCC and Halfmann may be ordered to cease and desist from continuing violations of the P&S Act and assessed a civil penalty.
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, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (515) 323-2586, or by email at stuart.frank@usda.gov
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