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Title 7, AgricultureRelease 119-73not60

§228b–2 Violations by Live Poultry Dealers

Title 7 › Chapter 9— PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS › Subchapter V— GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 228b–2

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Secretary of Agriculture thinks a live poultry dealer broke the rules, the Secretary must give the dealer a written complaint that says the charges and sets a hearing at least 30 days after the complaint is served. At the hearing, the dealer must be told the evidence against them, may cross-examine witnesses, speak in person or with a lawyer, and call witnesses. Someone else may join the hearing for good cause. The complaint can be changed before the hearing ends, but if new charges are added the dealer can ask for up to a 15-day delay. If the Secretary finds a violation, the Secretary must write down the findings, order the dealer to stop, and put the hearing record in the Department of Agriculture files. The Secretary may fine up to $20,000 per violation, considering how serious it was, the business size, and the dealer’s ability to keep operating; the fine cannot take priority over unpaid cash sellers or poultry growers. If the fine is not paid after appeals, the Secretary can ask the Attorney General to collect it in federal court. The Secretary may change or cancel the report or order before the hearing record goes to a court of appeals, after giving the dealer a chance to be heard. Complaints and orders may be served as allowed by law.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §228b–2

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whenever the Secretary has reason to believe that any live poultry dealer has violated or is violating any provision of section 197 of this title or section 228b–1 of this title, he shall cause a complaint in writing to be served upon the live poultry dealer, stating his charges in that respect, and requiring the live poultry dealer to attend and testify at a hearing at a time and place designated therein, at least 30 days after the service of such complaint; and at such time and place there shall be afforded the live poultry dealer a reasonable opportunity to be informed as to the evidence introduced against him (including the right of cross-examination), and to be heard in person or by counsel and through witnesses, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe. Any person for good cause shown may, on application, be allowed by the Secretary to intervene in such proceeding, and appear in person or by counsel. At any time prior to the close of the hearing, the Secretary may amend the complaint; but in case of any amendment adding new charges, the hearing shall, on the request of the live poultry dealer, be adjourned for a period not exceeding 15 days.
(b)If, after such hearing, the Secretary finds that the live poultry dealer has violated, or is violating, any provisions of section 197 of this title or section 228b–1 of this title covered by the charges, he shall make a report in writing in which he shall state his findings as to the facts, and shall issue and cause to be served on the live poultry dealer an order requiring such live poultry dealer to cease and desist from continuing such violation. The testimony taken at the hearing shall be reduced to writing and filed in the records of the Department of Agriculture. The Secretary may also assess a civil penalty of not more than $20,000 for each such violation. In determining the amount of the civil penalty to be assessed under this section, the Secretary shall consider the gravity of the offense, the size of the business involved, and the effect of the penalty on the person’s ability to continue in business: Provided, however, That in no event can the penalty assessed by the Secretary take priority over or impede the ability of the live poultry dealer to pay any unpaid cash seller or poultry grower. If, after the lapse of the period allowed for appeal or after the affirmance of such penalty, the person against whom the civil penalty is assessed fails to pay such penalty, the Secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General, who may recover such penalty by an action in the appropriate District Court of the United States.
(c)Until the record in such hearing has been filed in a court of appeals of the United States, as provided in section 228b–3 of this title, the Secretary, at any time, upon such notice and in such manner as he deems proper, but only after reasonable opportunity to the live poultry dealer to be heard, may amend or set aside the report or order, in whole or in part.
(d)Complaints, orders, and other processes of the Secretary under this section may be served in the same manner as provided in section 45 of title 15.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 411 of act Aug. 15, 1921, was renumbered section 417 and is classified to section 229c of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 90 days after Nov. 23, 1987, see section 12 of Pub. L. 100–173, set out as an

Effective Date

of 1987 Amendment note under section 182 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 228b–2

Title 7, Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60