Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reached a consent decision with Miller Livestock Inc. (Miller), Eric Miller (E. Miller) and Melissa Miller (M. Miller) of Mina, S.D., for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service revealed that from June 2021 through November 2021, Miller failed to pay when due for livestock transactions totaling $548,382. At the time of the consent decision, a total of $368,087 remained unpaid. In addition, the investigation revealed that in five transactions, Miller issued checks for livestock that were returned unpaid or denied by the bank because Miller failed to maintain sufficient funds to cover the checks.
Under the consent decision, Miller, E. Miller and M. Miller are suspended as registrants under the Act for five years. The suspension can be modified if payments are made in full to the unpaid sellers.
The P&S Act is a fair trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries.
For further information about the Packers and Stockyards Act, contact Kraig Roesch, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (303) 375-4291 or by email at kraig.roesch@usda.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service
