Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2020 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a Decision and Order Without Hearing by Reason of Default against Michael Tom Lindsey (Lindsey) of Bernice, La., on November 24, 2020, for violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service revealed that in June 2019, Lindsey failed to pay for livestock purchases totaling $54,871 to one market agency. The investigation found that Lindsey purchased the livestock, but failed to pay the full amount due. In its complaint, USDA alleges that Lindsey still owes $10,713 of the $54,871 owed for those livestock purchases.
Under the Default Decision and Order, Lindsey was assessed a civil penalty of $28,061, suspended as a registrant from all operations for five years, and was ordered to cease and desist from failing to pay in full and timely as required by the Act. The full Default Decision and Order is available.
The P&S Act requires subject entities to issue 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 an unfair trade practice and a violation of the P&S 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 Jeana Harbison, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051, or by email at Jeana.M.Harbison@usda.gov.
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