Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, August 3, 2020 – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, on January 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a Decision and Order Without Hearing by Reason of Default against Mark Robinson, doing business as Robinson Livestock (Robinson) of Lemmon, S.D., for violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service revealed from February to April 2016, Robinson engaged in business as a market agency, buying livestock on commission in commerce without obtaining the necessary bond or bond equivalent. During this time period, Robinson purchased 625 head of cattle, valued at $762,915, on a commission basis in 49 transactions.
Under the Default Decision and Order, Robinson was assessed a civil penalty of $17,000 and was suspended as a registrant from all livestock operations as a market agency beginning June 8, 2020, for a period of 30 days and thereafter until he obtains and files an adequate bond to secure his operations subject to the Act.
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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