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Title 7, AgricultureRelease 119-102

§203 Activity as Stockyard Dealer or Market Agency; Benefits to Business and Welfare of Stockyard; Registration; Penalty for Failure to Register

Title 7 › CHAPTER 9 — PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS › SUBCHAPTER III — STOCKYARDS AND STOCKYARD DEALERS › § 203

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

After the Secretary posts notice at a stockyard and 30 days pass, no one may work there as a market agency or dealer unless the stockyard owner decides the person's services will help the yard and its customers, makes that decision fairly and without unreasonable discrimination, gives written permission, and the person registers with the Secretary listing name, address, business type, and services provided. Others who act as market agencies or dealers may also have to register. Violators can be fined up to $500 per offense and up to $25 per day, and the United States may sue to collect the fines.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §203

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

After the expiration of thirty days after the Secretary has given public notice that any stockyard is within the definition of section 202 of this title, by posting copies of such notice in the stockyard, no person shall carry on the business of a market agency or dealer at such stockyard unless (1) the stockyard owner has determined that his services will be beneficial to the business and welfare of said stockyard, its patrons, and customers, which determination shall be made on a basis which is not unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, and has given written authorization to such person, and (2) he has registered with the Secretary, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, his name and address, the character of business in which he is engaged, and the kinds of stockyards services, if any, which he furnishes at such stockyard. Every other person operating as a market agency or dealer as defined in section 201 of this title may be required to register in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $500 for each such offense and not more than $25 for each day it continues, which shall accrue to the United States and may be recovered in a civil action brought by the United States.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1968—Pub. L. 90–446 designated existing provisions as cl. (2) and added cl. (1). 1958—Pub. L. 85–909 inserted “Every other person operating as a market agency or dealer as defined in section 201 of this title may be required to register in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 203

Title 7, Agriculture

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102