USDA Continues Restricting a PACA Violator in Arizona from Operating in the Produce Industry
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided to continue sanctions on produce business SCC International Inc. for failing to meet its contractual obligations to the sellers of produce it purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The Rio Rico, Arizona-based company was formerly restricted for failing to pay a total of $248,852 to numerous sellers and now continues to be restricted for failing to pay a $3,742 award in favor of an Arizona seller.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
As of the issuance date of the latest reparation order, Sergio Chamberlain was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
Prior to the issuance of this most recent reparation order, numerous reparation orders were issued against SCC International for failure to pay a total of $248,852 to numerous sellers. SCC International has not made payments to the previous sellers within the time designated in the reparation orders. As a result, the sanction period levied against the firm and its principal has been extended to reflect the violations.
These sanctions include suspension of the business’s PACA license and barring the principal operator of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA. By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
To read the direct press release from the USDA, click here.
