| USDA Files Formal Administrative Complaint Against a Certified Organic Producer | |||
|
AMS No. 126-08
Joan Shaffer (202) 720-8998
joan.shaffer@usda.gov
Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
billy.cox@usda.gov
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2008 – On June 4, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) filed a formal administrative complaint with USDA’s Office of Administrative Law Judges against Promiseland Livestock, L.L.C. and Anthony J. Zeman, Promiseland’s owner and manager.
The complaint alleges willful violation of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) and the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulation with respect to providing USDA with access to records.
USDA alleges that Promiseland failed to comply with section 6506(b)(1)(B) of OFPA and sections 205.103(c) and 205.400(d) of the NOP regulation (7 CFR 205) which deals with recordkeeping requirements and USDA’s right to inspect and copy such records during normal business hours.
Promiseland and Anthony Zeman have 20 calendar days from receipt of the complaint to file their answer.
| |||