Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with O’Neill Livestock Inc. (O’Neill) of Neoga, Ill., on Sept. 16, 2021, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation agreement, O’Neill waived its rights to a hearing and was fined a civil penalty of $1,250.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed O’Neill operated a a scale that was inspected or tested and found in a condition to give an incorrect or inaccurate weight.
The P&S Act requires subject entities to maintain accurate scales. When weights are used to determine payment, accurate scales, and honest weighing, protect the seller’s right to receiving a fair value for selling livestock. Failure to maintain an accurate scale is a violation of the P&S Act.
The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $29,270 per violation against any person after the notice and opportunity for 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.
For further information about the Packers and Stockyards Act, contact Kraig Roesch, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (303) 375-4291, or by email at kraig.roesch@usda.gov.
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