WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2012- Mecca Halal Meat, Inc. (Mecca Halal) has paid a fine of $20,000 for not filing, on time, required Annual Reports with the Packers and Stockyards Program of USDA. The U.S. Department of Justice Federal Programs Branch represented USDA and negotiated the Settlement Agreement with Mecca Halal.

All meat packers, live poultry dealers, market agencies and livestock dealers operating under the jurisdiction of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act of 1921 are required by federal regulation to file reports annually. These reports provide critical information that the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) uses to ensure farmers and ranchers are financially protected when they sell their livestock. Mecca Halal operates as a packer, as defined by the P&S Act.

Mecca Halal was informed of the annual reporting requirements under the P&S Act on numerous occasions. However, Mecca Halal failed to timely file its ?Annual Report of Packers? for the calendar year ending December 31, 2007. The Annual Report for that calendar year was due on April 15, 2008, and was not received until March 4, 2009, and was 272 days late as of that date (beginning 30 days from receipt of the Notice of Default received on May 5, 2008).

Mecca Halal also failed to timely file its ?Annual Report of Packers? for calendar year ending December 31, 2009. The Annual Report for that calendar year was due on April 16, 2010, was not received until July 21, 2010, and was 51 days late as of that date (beginning 30 days from receipt of the notice of default received on April 30, 2010).

Mecca Halal did not file an Annual Report for 2003 and reports for 2005 and 2006 were filed late.

The P&S Act is a fair trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).