WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012- On January 17, 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) entered into a consent decision with Richard Hayes (Hayes), Lipan, Texas.

Hayes has been ordered to cease and desist from:

• purchasing livestock and failing to pay the full amount for livestock purchased before the close of the next business day following each purchase of livestock;
• issuing checks without having sufficient funds to cover checks; and
• failing to keep records which fully and correctly disclose all transactions involved in his business as a livestock dealer.

Hayes, under his name or under any and all aliases, is suspended as a registrant and prohibited from registering under the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act for a period of 5 years.

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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