Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Tyson unit fined for falsifying hog weights

A hog-buying unit of Tysons has been fined $15,000 by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.

It’s part of a consent agreement reached with Tyson Hog Markets Inc. which operated as Heinold Hog Markets at Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.

Tyson has been ordered to cease and desist from:

•           falsifying scale tickets for livestock;
•           issuing invoices to buyers that show false weights; and
•           issuing false or inaccurate accountings to sellers of livestock.

Tyson will also make restitution to livestock buyers and sellers.

The company also must maintain complete and accurate scale records that correctly show the weights of livestock actually weighed by the company.

The consent decision resolves a complaint that was filed Tyson, GIPSA said.

“We take pride in being fair to livestock producers and our customers,” Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said in a statement emailed to Meatingplace magazine.


“We addressed these concerns three years ago when they were first brought to our attention and promptly and cooperatively resolved more recent follow-up questions from the agency.”

Or maybe not, judging by the current fine and orders to comply.