WASHINGTON, April 7, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has found evidence that Evans & Evans Farms, Inc., also known as Evans and Evans, Inc. (Evans), Decatur, Arkansas and Peterson Farms, Inc. (Peterson), Decatur, Arkansas, failed to pay 87 poultry growers the full amount owed to them in the time required by the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

On March 19, 2008, GIPSA filed a complaint against Evans and Peterson. The complaint alleges that Evans and Peterson deducted a certain amount from the growers? pay that was not authorized by their poultry agreements. This deduction caused the growers to not receive their full payments in a timely manner. If the allegations are admitted, or proven in an oral hearing, Evans and Peterson may be ordered to cease and desist from violating the P&S Act and assessed a civil penalty.

Evans and Peterson are live poultry dealers who are in the business of obtaining live poultry under a poultry growing arrangement for the purpose of slaughter and the sale and shipment of poultry products in commerce.

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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Catherine M. Grasso 202-720-7201