The USDA today released the stipulation for the 3rd offense of the Foreign Substance Penalty Protocol.  "It has been decided that the stipulation for the 3rd offense of foreign substance violation would be $2000," read an email from Dr. Rachel Cezar to representatives from horse industry organizations.

The first and second offenses of the foreign substance penalty protocol are letters of warning from the USDA.  The fourth offense will initiate a federal case against the violator.

The penalty protocol does state that a second offense can not be accumulated until after the person(s) is notified of the first offense in the letter of warning.  This applies for second, third and fourth offenses as well.

The penalty protocol for foreign substance violation does not start until June 1, 2008.

You can read the entire penalty protocol on our web site at the following link - http://www.walkinghorsereport.com/news.aspx?cid=5305