USDA Claims Checkoff
Provision Violations

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has charged two Montana cattle producers with violating assessment provisions of the Beef Promotion and Research Order under the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985.

Dr. Enrique E. Figueroa, administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, said Gerald Murnion and Jeanne and Steve Charter allegedly violated the order by failing to pay the $1-per-head assessment due on cattle marketed.

The act requires assessments on all cattle sold in the United States. These assessments finance research and promotion programs to advance the position of beef in the marketplace through state beef councils and the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board.

USDA's complaints, filed Nov. 10, 1997, and Aug. 5, 1998, seek administrative orders requiring Murnion and Jeanne and Steve Charter to pay all assessments and late payment charges due, to comply with the order in the future, and to pay civil penalties for each violation. Failure to comply with the act and its implementing order can result in fines up to $5500 per violation.