Swine Contractors

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adding "swine contractors" to the list of regulated entities subject to specific regulations issued under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act or Act) (7 U.S.C. 181-229). In 2002, Congress added swine contractors as entities regulated under the P&S Act. Specifically, we are amending the regulations to clarify that swine contractors are prohibited from knowingly circulating misleading reports about market conditions or prices; that they are required to provide business information to authorized USDA personnel; and, that they are required to permit authorized USDA personnel to inspect their business records and facilities. We are also amending the regulations to clarify that agents and USDA employees are prohibited from unauthorized disclosure of business information obtained from swine contractors. These changes will assist swine contractors and swine production contract growers with determining which regulations under the P&S Act apply to swine contractors. The inclusion of swine contractors will help us better enforce the provisions of the P&S Act.