Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a decision and order against Scott Alan Sanders, doing business as S.A.S. Dairy, doing business as Sanders Family Cattle Sales and Cathryn R. Sanders, doing business as Fire Lake Jerseys of California, on April 23, 2024, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that Scott Sanders, between May and July 2019, failed to pay timely for 116 head of livestock purchased in the amount of $73,546. Payments were up to six days late. Scott Sanders also was found in violation for failing to pay 98 head of livestock in the amount of $69,051. Cathryn Sanders, between May and July 2019, failed to pay timely for 202 head of livestock purchased in the amount of $212,542. Payments were up to 34 days late. Cathryn Sanders, also, failed to pay for 244 head of livestock purchased in the amount of $210,752.
Under the decision, Scott Alan and Cathryn R Sanders agreed to conduct business and maintain records under the business names for which they are registered and bonded and pay for their livestock purchases in a timely manner. In addition, both Sanders were ordered to cease the practice of post-dating payment checks and cease demanding markets to delay payments. The Sanders were also assessed an $8,000 civil penalty to be paid within 30 days.
The P&S Act requires subject entities to issue the 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 and failure to issue the full payment for 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 Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or by email at Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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