Release No.: 039-19
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2019 – On March 21, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued an administrative complaint to Calvin Plummer doing business as J&J Cattle and J-J Cattle (Plummer), Sayre, Okla., for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by AMS revealed that from October 2014 to April 2015, Plummer operated as a market agency buying livestock on commission when he received $3,680 in commissions for purchasing 1,240 head of livestock for $1,806,329. Plummer engaged in business as a market agency buying livestock on commission in commerce without obtaining the necessary registration and bond or bond equivalent.
Every market agency, packer and dealer must execute and maintain a bond applicable to the activity or activities in which the entity engages. Operating without an adequate bond or bond equivalent is in violation of the P&S Act.
The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $11,000 per violation against any person after notice and opportunity for hearing on the record. If the allegations are admitted, or proven in an oral hearing, Plummer may be ordered to cease and desist from violating the Packers and Stockyards (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, Director, Packers and Stockyards Division, Fair Trade Practices Program, at (515) 323-2586, or by email at Stuart.Frank@usda.gov.
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