WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed action against Andrews Farming Inc., a Hillsville, Virginia-based company, for PACA violations.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), an agency within USDA, alleges in a press release that Andrews Farming Inc. failed to make payment to 11 produce sellers in the amount of $513,226 from December 2014 through June 2015.
Andrews Farming Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. If USDA finds that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. In addition, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
Under PACA, all interstate traders in fresh and frozen fruits must be licensed by USDA. If any trader violates the act, USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke their license.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
