CANTON, Ohio — A complaint by USDA’s GIPSA (Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration) has been filed against Park Farms in Canton, Ohio.
Complaint
The complaint filed by the USDA April 8, 2011, is in regards to incidents that happened in December 2009 and January 2010.
According to GIPSA, the complaint is the result of not making payments when due under the poultry growing agreement and failing to use serially numbered scale tickets.
Poultry arrangements
Park Farms obtains live poultry by purchase or under poultry growing arrangements for the purpose of slaughter. It also ships and markets processed poultry products and operates as a live poultry dealer subject to the provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
The complaint alleges Park Farms paid farmers for live poultry between 10 and 18 days later than contracts stipulated.
According to GIPSA documents, Park Farms had growing arrangements with the poultry growers.
Response
In a released statement, Park Farms acknowledged receiving the complaint.
The statement, released by CEO Christina Pastore Bucher, said Park Farms was surprised by the complaint and currently have legal counsel reviewing the complaint.
“We expect to respond to the USDA complaint when our legal counsel has completed its review,” Bucher said in the statement.
According to the court documents, GIPSA requests that Park Farms files a response to the complaint and that a civil penalty be considered.
