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Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73

§2279e Civil penalty

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 55— - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › § 2279e

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Harming or interfering with an animal used for official inspections by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Homeland Security can lead to a civil fine up to $10,000. A fine can only be imposed after the person is given notice and a formal hearing. The Secretary sets the amount by looking at what happened and how serious it was. The Secretary can settle, change, or cancel the fine. The order is final but can be reviewed under chapter 158 of title 28. Unpaid fines earn interest at the rate used for U.S. civil judgments. "Secretary concerned" means the Secretary of Agriculture for animals used by the Department of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Homeland Security for animals used by the Department of Homeland Security.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §2279e

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Any person that causes harm to, or interferes with, an animal used for the purposes of official inspections by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Homeland Security, may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record, be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Homeland Security not to exceed $10,000.
(b)In determining the amount of a civil penalty, the Secretary concerned shall take into account the nature, circumstance, extent, and gravity of the offense.
(c)The Secretary concerned may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any civil penalty that may be assessed under this section.
(d)(1)The order of the Secretary concerned assessing a civil penalty shall be treated as a final order reviewable under chapter 158 of title 28. The validity of the order of the Secretary concerned may not be reviewed in an action to collect the civil penalty.
(2)Any civil penalty not paid in full when due under an order assessing the civil penalty shall thereafter accrue interest until paid at the rate of interest applicable to civil judgments of the courts of the United States.
(e)In this section and section 2279f of this title, the term “Secretary concerned” means—
(1)the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to an animal used for purposes of official inspections by the Department of Agriculture; and
(2)the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to an animal used for purposes of official inspections by the Department of Homeland Security.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–296, § 421(h)(1), inserted “or the Department of Homeland Security” after “Department of Agriculture” and “or the Secretary of Homeland Security” after “Secretary of Agriculture”. Subsecs. (b) to (d)(1). Pub. L. 107–296, § 421(h)(2), substituted “Secretary concerned” for “Secretary” wherever appearing. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–296, § 421(h)(3), added subsec. (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2002 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 2279e

Title 7 — Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73