§1636 General provisions

Summary

The Secretary must make market information and documents from packers, retailers, and others available to the public while keeping people’s identities and business secrets confidential. Federal workers may not reveal business facts learned under this law without the packer’s consent, except when needed by USDA staff doing their jobs, when the Secretary or Attorney General orders disclosure for enforcement, or when a court requires it. Information gathered under this law is not subject to public release under section 552 of title 5 (FOIA). Packer reports must be for each individual lot. The Secretary will publish data nationally and by region or state as needed, without naming reporters and following aggregation rules. The Secretary may adjust reported prices to remove odd or one-time distortions and must check the accuracy of reports under parts B, C, and D. Reporting and publishing should use electronic systems when practical. The Secretary must build an easy-to-use online system (with charts, comparisons, and timely updates) and run a training program. Livestock handled on weekends or holidays must be reported on the next reporting day, and only once. Nothing here limits the Secretary’s authority under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999, or access to evidence under sections 49 and 50 of title 15.