What to Do If You Receive a "Responsibly Connected" Letter from USDA Under PACA

If you have received a “Responsibly Connected” letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is important to take it seriously. This notice relates to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and signals that USDA believes you may be tied to a business that has violated PACA, often due to unpaid produce debts.

Under PACA, being designated as responsibly connected means you could be personally liable for the company’s unpaid produce debts and may be barred from working in the produce industry under a PACA license, even if you were not directly involved in the violation. When you receive such a letter, it is important to read it carefully. USDA will explain its determination and provide you with the option to contest the finding. Pay close attention to any deadlines, as you typically have thirty (30) days from the date of the letter to file an appeal. Missing this deadline can result in an automatic disqualification from PACA-licensed employment.

Our firm can help assess your role in the business and determine whether there are grounds to contest the responsibly connected designation. If you choose to appeal, evidence will need to be gathered showing that you were not actively involved in the violation and that you exercised no control over the company’s decisions at the time. Our firm can assist you in filing a petition for review with USDA.

Receiving a responsibly connected letter does not automatically mean you are guilty, but it does mean USDA has determined there is enough evidence to link you to a PACA violation. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of protecting your legal rights and your ability to continue working in the produce industry.

In need of assistance? Schedule an intake meeting with our office, we would be happy to speak with you.

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