Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73not60
§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
Summary
30 days after the Secretary posts notice in a stockyard, no one may operate there as a market agency/dealer unless the owner gives fair written approval that their services will benefit the yard and they register with the Secretary. Others under section 201 may need to register. Violators face fines up to $500 per offense and $25 per day; fines go to the United States and may be recovered by civil suit.
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
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60